Oklahoma Crash Kills 4; Authorities Say 27-Year-Old Driver Was Intoxicated and in U.S. Illegally

A man was taken into custody for killing four young people in a fatal crash on the Oklahoma highway. According to authorities, the suspect is in the United States illegally. However, details of his entry into the United States or his country of origin were not revealed.

Michael Rosario-Cruz, 27, killed four people after allegedly driving the wrong way on the Oklahoma highway. He was intoxicated at the time and crashed into another vehicle. He was charged with four counts of second-degree murder, two counts of DUI causing great bodily injury, transporting an open container, firearm possession, and carrying firearms while under the influence.

Rosario-Cruz was taken into custody after being released from a hospital and was booked into the Canadian County Jail. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, on May 22, the man was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 in Canadian County. After he struck another car head-on, it caught fire.

Authorities said that all four people inside the car died. They were aged between 18 and 20. The victims were identified as Brad Palmer, 18; Hailegh Salazar,18; Kiercey Hickson, 20; and Quincy Jones,19.

Nancy Salsman, a former teacher, said that three of the victims were once her students. They recently graduated from El Reno High School. Speaking with News9, Salsman said, “You just make that connection that never goes away. They’re always your kids. And when something like this happens we come together."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sent a detainer request. According to Fox News Digital, Rosario-Cruz is in the United States illegally. ICE has asked to be notified when he is released from custody, and he could be taken into federal custody and deported.

In a social media post, the Highway Patrol said, “Driving impaired is a reckless, life-changing decision. The loss of these young lives will have a lasting impact on countless family members, friends, and communities."