A deadly hit-and-run in Pennsylvania involving an illegal immigrant has sparked political outrage, as a 25-year-old suspect faces charges for killing a motorcyclist and fleeing the scene—fueling debates over immigration policy and public safety.
A 25-year-old illegal immigrant was arrested Saturday night in Dormont, Pennsylvania, following a deadly hit-and-run that claimed the life of 23-year-old motorcyclist Christian Sulka. Saul Rivera-Ramirez, driving a red Ford Taurus, allegedly struck Sulka and fled the scene on foot with a woman and a small child, according to police in the Pittsburgh suburb. He now faces charges, including homicide by vehicle and driving without a license.
Allegheny County authorities confirmed Rivera-Ramirez’s illegal status and noted that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had been contacted regarding his immigration situation.
The tragedy quickly entered the political arena, with Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick blaming what he called “liberal immigration policies” for the fatal crash. In a post on X, McCormick criticized his Democratic opponents, including Senator Bob Casey and Vice President Kamala Harris, for being too lenient on immigration. “A 23-year-old Pennsylvanian was killed… Bob Casey and Kamala Harris’ weak, liberal immigration policies are deadly,” McCormick wrote.
The incident in Dormont is part of a troubling trend, with other recent fatal hit-and-runs involving illegal immigrants in Tennessee and North Carolina. In June, Ulises Martinez, an illegal immigrant in Nashville, allegedly struck and killed a restaurant owner, while last month, Maria Concepcion Cardona Alejo pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run in North Carolina that killed a 20-year-old man. Alejo, who had been cited repeatedly for driving without a license, received a controversial 120-day sentence.
As the political debate surrounding immigration intensifies, the family of Christian Sulka mourns their loss, awaiting justice for the man who fled the scene of the crash.
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