ICE Baltimore arrested Kevin Alexis Mendez-Ortiz after a hit-and-run in Prince George’s County that left a U.S. citizen critically injured; the man is accused of entering the country illegally under policies critics call catch-and-release and previously received a notice to appear before being released into the U.S.
ICE Baltimore arrested Kevin Alexis Mendez-Ortiz on Nov. 25 during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Oxon Hill. The arrest follows a serious crash investigators say Mendez caused earlier in November.
According to authorities, Mendez is an illegal alien from Honduras who was involved in a head-on collision on Nov. 9 in Prince George’s County that sent a U.S. citizen to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Reports say he fled the scene after the crash, leaving the injured passenger behind.
Mendez entered the United States illegally in 2022, a result critics point to as part of the Biden Administration’s catch-and-release policy. U.S. Border Patrol apprehended him near Hidalgo, Texas, on Sept. 30, 2022, issued a notice to appear that day, and released him on his own recognizance.
“This tragic incident underscores why ICE remains steadfast in its mission to identify, apprehend and remove illegal aliens who pose a threat to public safety,” said ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Jeremy Bacon. “A U.S. citizen suffered devastating injuries because of the reckless behavior of an illegal alien who had no lawful right to be in our country. The Baltimore field office extends our deepest hopes for our fellow citizen’s full and speedy recovery. We will continue working tirelessly to keep our communities safe from individuals who endanger the public through irresponsible and unlawful actions.”
On Nov. 9, Mendez was reportedly traveling eastbound on a Maryland road when he crossed into oncoming traffic in the westbound lane and struck another vehicle head-on. Authorities say the collision was violent and that Mendez left the scene before officers arrived.
The passenger in the other vehicle, a woman who asked to remain anonymous, suffered a long list of critical injuries: broken vertebrae, a broken collarbone, a broken wrist, fractured ribs, injury to her intestines and uterus, a ruptured diaphragm, a collapsed lung, a concussion and additional trauma. Medical sources describe her condition as life-threatening and ongoing.
On Nov. 12, the Prince George’s County Police Department cited Mendez for a series of violations connected to the crash and his conduct at the scene. The department listed multiple counts reflecting driving without proper credentials and failing to stop after a collision.
- Failure of individual driving to display license to uniformed police on demand
- Failure to display registration card upon demand by police officer
- Driving on highway without required license and authorization
- Failure to immediately stop vehicle at the scene of an accident involving bodily injury
- Failure to return to or remain at the scene of an accident involving attended vehicle damage
- Failure of vehicle driver involved in accident to give insurance policy information
- Failure to drive vehicle on right half of the roadway
- Driver changing lanes when unsafe after a hit and run vehicle collision
- Failure to control vehicle speed on highway to avoid collision
- Failure to obey properly placed traffic control device instructions
- Failure to obey designated lane directions
The case underscores questions about how notices to appear are handled and the risks communities face when people released after apprehension are later implicated in violent or dangerous incidents. Those who argue for stricter border controls say this is an example of policy failures that put citizens at risk.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or by completing the ICE online tip form. Local and federal agencies say tips help identify and remove people who threaten public safety.
