An illegal immigrant has been charged with killing four young men after driving the wrong way under the influence (DUI) on an Oklahoma highway.Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Michael Rosario Cruz.
He was released from the hospital and booked into Canadian County Jail on multiple charges, including four counts of second-degree murder, causing serious injury by driving under the influence, wrong-way driving, carrying firearms while intoxicated, and transporting an open container.According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the accident occurred early Friday on Interstate 40 in Canadian County. Rosario Cruz was allegedly driving westbound in the eastbound lanes when he collided head-on with another vehicle.
The accident caused the car to catch fire, killing all four passengers.The victims were identified as Kiersi Hickson, 20, Quincy Jones, 19, and Halig Salazar and Brad Palmer, both 18.Rosario-Cruz is the subject of a detention order by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), meaning that ICE has requested that she be notified prior to any release so that deportation proceedings can begin. His citizenship and when he entered the United States have not been confirmed.
“Driving under the influence is a reckless, life-altering decision,” the Highway Patrol said in a social media post announcing the charges.“The loss of these young men will have a lasting impact on countless family members, friends and communities,” she added.The victims were recently memorialized during a vigil held at El Reno High School, where three of them graduated. Retired teacher Nancy Salzman said she taught three of the victims in second grade.“You just make that connection that never goes away,” she told News9.“It’s always your kids. When something like this happens, we come together,” she added.
