Suspect in Seattle fatal hit and run of bicyclist is illegal alien

BY Brandi Kruse  on June 8, 2012 @ 10:26 am (Updated: 2:18 pm - 6/8/12 )

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has requested a retainer on the man arrested in the July 2011 fatal hit and run of a bicyclist in Seattle.

Erlin Garcia Reyes, 28, of Normandy Park, was arrested for felony hit and run on Wednesday.

ICE officials have confirmed to 97.3 KIRO-FM that Garcia-Reyes is in the country illegally.

Police believe Reyes was the driver of an SUV that fatally struck and killed 44-year-old Michael Wang on July 28, 2011. The SUV hit Wang as the driver made a left turn on Dexter Ave. North in South Lake Union. The suspect fled the scene.

Police released few details during a news conference Thursday, at which they announced the arrest but declined to say what had lead them to Garcia-Reyes nearly a year after the alleged crime.

According to court documents, Garcia-Reyes confessed to the crime when confronted by detectives and led them to the spot where the accident occurred.

A spokesperson for the Seattle division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday that they have requested Reyes be transferred into their custody once released from the King County Jail.

The spokesperson said that any local, criminal case against Garcia-Reyes will take precedent over deportation proceedings.

"Having a criminal conviction ... a felony or egregious felony, does weigh heavily on our decision," said an ICE spokesperson. "ICE priorities are to remove illegal aliens, especially those who have proven to be a danger to public safety."

According to the Seattle Times, Garcia-Reyes in a native of Honduras and has been in the U.S. for five years.

Wang, a married father of two, was an avid bicyclist and photographer for PATH, a global health non-profit. He had commuted by bike from South Lake Union to his home in Shoreline and back for years.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (43)


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  • bmaddy wrote...
    Round um up
    June 8, 2012 11:22 am
    Lets grow some balls and start rounding these clowns up!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Oly80 wrote...
    as soon as i saw that it was a hit and run...
    June 8, 2012 11:56 am
    i thought, no insurance, didn't want to get caught.

    this confirms it.

    what sorry excuse for a human could hit and KILL someone with their car and drive away? how could any HUMAN live with themself? this is NOT okay. this should be dealt with harshly.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    to all the idiots who are far left on OTHER issues ---
    June 8, 2012 12:20 pm
    Reyes may well be undocumented BUT ICE may want to look at him as a legal resident TB charged with a felony, or any other issues. In any event, why is it EVERY TIME even a true 'illegal' screws up, the lynch mobs come out?

    Actually, the LAST thing anyone undocumented wants to do is draw attention. So generally crime rates are LOWER. If you DO want to look at crime rates, bmaddy, you might be wanting to 'round up' a lot of people who've been here for 400 years.

    But also think - if Reyes was named 'Smyth', and he was an undocumented Canadian, would he still be one of the 'clowns' you want to round up ???????

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    uhh, where do you get your statistics ron?
    June 8, 2012 12:47 pm
    "crime rates are lower amongst illegals?" Have you paid any attention to what has happened to the Yakima Valley and Tri-Cities over the last 30 years? Gangs and drive by shootings were unheard of 30 years ago in these peaceful areas. In those days, the migrants came, worked the season, saved their money and then went home to Mexico. Now they stay, collect benefits and commit crime. They have imported a new and violent culture. Shootings and assaults are now an every day occurrence.

    The truth is, we don't have these problems with Canadians. When we do, it will be time to address it.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    and where are your stats, Paul. ?
    June 8, 2012 12:59 pm
    Gangs are gangs. I hope to heck we don't judge a whole people by gangs. Well, we DID with the Italians and the Irish, but.... p But you should know that most immigrant/low income crime is against their fellows - mostly NOT the outside community. ..... But I've also always wondered just how 'illegals' can be sucking us dry with welfare AND taking all of our jobs - at the same time.

    .

    But. Paul, your last lines disturb me. Are, then, illegals bad because they are 'illegal' ? .. Or just because they are "Mexicans".

    BTW - Reyes is Honduran - 5 years in the USA. Status unknown.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • worhtalook wrote...
    How illegals get welfare and work ( sometimes work)
    June 8, 2012 1:54 pm
    Very very easily...they get paid under the table.. they do not have to give ANY information when applying for assistance..because they are protected..they fill our Maternity and ER's without any expectation of finacial accountability ..NO ONE can ask them any question for fear that the person aking a question is the one in trouble for asking...AND MOST don't even speak English but yet we are to cater to them..and YES it is primarily Mexicans..Canadians speak ENglish, you NEVER hear of them in gangs or even drug trafficing, or growing..so that is the answer to your obviously choice NOT to see the truth..if YOU have such empathy and protectiveness for them then YOU take them in your home, if you have one, and YOU pay their medical bills..YOU let them deal drugs from YOUR home..you only want others to pay for them..we must get the illegal blood suckers out of this country.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Well, wortha - the welfare/work condrumdum was mostly retorical
    June 8, 2012 3:38 pm
    As steeling our jobs and bums on welfare are usually in opposition. But, I guess there ARE ways to do both. By the way, a lot of Canadians ARE into drugs traffic - BC BUD ? - and those border tunnels up north aren't Mexicans.

    But, YUP. There ARE only 16,000,000 of them, so should be easy just to send them back home. Even if the vast majority never bother with gangs or drugs or whatever.

    All I want is for them to be able to legally pay taxes - especially SSI. Without new contributions, the current Angle/Black/Asian native born Americans can't sustain the system.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • worhtalook wrote...
    good points, thaank you
    June 8, 2012 3:54 pm
    I get so fired up sometimes about this issue..No one that hasn't paid into SSI should get it. Even those who follow their kids here legally and at 70 years old become citizens. The increasing numbers of drug addicts and alocholic's getting SSI benefits and medicaid while they abuse themselves and the system that enables them to continue their abuses..it is bankrupting this country and it just doesn't make sense to me why we let it happen..while those of us who work so hard, pay our taxes..all of them, and contribute worthy causes, risk losing our homes when we retire, pay through the nose for healthcare even with it offered through our employers..it is not even equal..but I am impressed at how thouightfully you responded to my outburst and I respect that so much.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Thanks, and same - keeping it civil.
    June 8, 2012 5:18 pm
    There just might BE a solution to this mess - somewhere.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Interesting question ron...
    June 8, 2012 1:23 pm
    "Are, then, illegals bad because they are 'illegal' ?"...my answer, No...

    they are simply taking advantage of an opportunity to better their lives (for the most part). I would do the same if I were in their situation and had a refuge like this to go to. The bad people are the politicians who selectively enforce our laws for their own benefit. These people are bad...very bad. These are the creators and enforcers of our laws. They have created so many laws that almost everyone is in violation of something. They already have shown they will now selectively use these laws against anyone who they perceive as a threat and will protect any group they believe will benefit them. We all know why they will not enforce immigration laws....don't we ron???

    BTW ron, not that it matters, but based on your comments, I would bet that you would be shocked if you knew my ethnic background and history. I can tell you that I know very well the difference between Honduras and Mexico. You should see how illegal Hondurans are treated in Mexico. I've seen it first hand.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    No, Paul, I probably would not be surprised, as names and ethnicity ofter don't match.
    June 8, 2012 1:46 pm
    Prevost is far more 'Canadian' than Irish, for example.

    Last time I was in that part of the world was 1969. Enjoyed Tapachula, but suspect It's very much different now. But even then, Hondurans were treated 'differently' from Salvadorians and others. Now days, I guess, a Honduran illegally in Mexico might be lucky to be simply sent back home.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    Hmm...illegal means they are breaking the law.
    June 8, 2012 3:03 pm
    A coworker of mine is very upset about the amnesty movement. Being originally from India, he paid a lawyer nearly $2000 to properly file for and receive U. S. citizenship.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • edmondschris wrote...
    check your facts
    June 8, 2012 1:07 pm
    no one has been here for 400 years.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Picky, edmondschris. Picky
    June 8, 2012 1:50 pm
    I should have said FAMILIES here for 400 years. Like Jamestown was founded in 1607 - 405 years ago. And (I think) the first slaves were transported by 1612. Of course, some folks think I'M over 400 years old.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Ron
    June 8, 2012 5:14 pm
    You have absolutely no idea what the he// you are talking about. Crime rates among illegals are LOWER? Either you truly are a moron or you are so brainwashed by the leftists that you believe such drivel.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    GENERALLY lower.
    June 8, 2012 5:58 pm
    But, certainly for the 14 to 24 crowd , its high. In that group, it's on a par - or higher - with native born young, poor people of all races.

    But the OLDER undocumented ? The LAST thing they want to do is call attention to themselves. Knowing that even a minor infraction COULD result in deportation is a great restraint on behavior.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    LOOK, I know that saying anything positive about 'illegals' is going to be attacked.
    June 8, 2012 6:26 pm
    But what SHOULD we do about 16,000.000 people? They're not all going to be deported, no matter what. And a good many have been here for over 10, 20, 30 years. Most who are here are going to stay.

    What we DO need to do is be more proactive when major crimes ARE committed. Jail for the crime and deport after 5, 10, whatever. Deporting to save prison space just leads to return - here or somewhere else in the country.

    THEN, securely close the borders - all of them. But, then, guest worker programs and legalization of residency. There doesn't have to be a path to citizenship. But for a lot of these people, home IS here now.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Ron I can tell you from real world experience.
    June 9, 2012 7:37 am
    They don't care about any "attention". Their attitudes are "what are you going to do?". They IGNORE any/all our laws they want because they feel they have the political protection of those in power (LIBERALS). I'm serious. They walk w/ impunity in this state. They cry "RACIST!" if/when you demand proof of identity etc. They are out in the open about it; in your face. They have no respect for our laws and have no fear of accountability. And who do we have to blame for this? Olympia (Dimocrats) and D.C. (Dimocrats).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    HPD - you deal mostly with the young thugs.
    June 9, 2012 7:51 am
    I see their grandparents (a lot of whom actually own houses here - not illegal, even for undocumented). THEY don't like the gangs any more than you or I do, especially as most of the crime and violence is against THEM - not people miles and miles away.

    But one of the reasons the punks have impunity is that older 'illegals' usually don't call police for protection, for fear of possible deportation themselves, usually forever. While the punks - even if deported - usually have a round trip ticket.

    There are a lot more undocumented over 30 than under. But we can only judge by who we see.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 333 wrote...
    wow
    June 8, 2012 12:35 pm
    so much for AJ's hero.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Burn_Notice wrote...
    Hold the Phone!!
    June 8, 2012 12:40 pm
    An illegal immigrant committed a crime? (besides being here illegally).

    Say it isn't so. Contact Ex-mayor Nichols and Simms and the whole lot of those leftwing "sanctuary city" blowhards and ask them how welcoming and encouraging illegal’s..err.. undocumented individuals is working out for us.

    Oh and BTW, they are in fact documented individuals in the country they are freakin' legally allowed to live!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Its Dear Leader Obama Fault . . . .
    June 8, 2012 1:25 pm
    this would never never never never ever ever ever ever happen under W M Romney watch.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • worhtalook wrote...
    WHAT rock are you living under?
    June 8, 2012 2:00 pm
    Romney has done nothing to correct this infestation of illegals..sadly, Bush didn't either. Ron Paul might have..the unfortunate truth is that Politicians cannot expect to win if they actually did something about this horrible problem..too manyLiberals and bought votes from those that have their own reasons for wanting these people here..It is just so clear how much money we wold save in this COuntry when we stop supporting the illegals..Medical alone would provide millions a MONTH for those that deserve it and lose their homes because of the medical bills they have..MILLIONS a month..Hospitals would not be closing..which costs many jobs..etc..it is so obvious to those who really care about this Country, and its future.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    Unfortunately, CH
    June 8, 2012 3:20 pm
    you don't seem to understand why this country is not progressing. Every time a Democrat, including President Obama, submits an idea or proposal, the Republicans gather and swat it down. Just because THEY don't want to see the Democrats improve the country. It would lessen their chance of being elected.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    It's Owebama's Fault!
    June 8, 2012 5:15 pm
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    CH..you are finally seeing the light (sarcasm)
    June 9, 2012 7:39 am
    It's Owebama's fault! Keep repeating it....It's Owebama's fault!!....again....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rubegoldberg wrote...
    "They have imported a new and violent culture"
    June 8, 2012 2:44 pm
    Forget the Republican/Democrat angle, they both took orders from the higher ups in 1986 and then again w/ NAFTA. This is what concerns me the most, people on opposite sides of the spectrum (business owners and leftist open border folks) who ironically excuse this third world behaviour for their own reasons (profits on the former, some kind of altruisic notion on the latter). Strange bedfellows indeed.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SALIFE wrote...
    Another CRIMINAL,ILLEGAL ALIEN! Commits Another CRIME!
    June 8, 2012 2:53 pm
    INNOCENT AMERICAN citizen, KILLED by ILLEGAL ALIEN ! When is this going to stop! Deport ALL these ILLEGAL ALIENS NOW!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SALIFE wrote...
    It doesn't matter....
    June 8, 2012 3:05 pm
    If your Canada,Mexico,black, white,brown,Samoan, blue, green, if you enter America,illegally?!? Than you are a criminal! It doesn't matter if you been here 200 years! If I had a family member here illegally in my country! And you get caught, that's your fault, not mines! You did that to yourself! You knew it was wrong when you overstay, cross illegally,walking through the dessert all night of hours, you know your doing something wrong! DEPORT ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS NOW! You are ALL,ALL CRIMINALS!!! Get out of my country!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Howdy wrote...
    "And if you get caught, that's your fault, not mines!"
    June 8, 2012 3:50 pm
    Hmmm, mines at the border. Can't say I never thought of that idea.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    200 years, well that is a stretch there SALIFE
    June 8, 2012 6:05 pm
    I doubt if your family was here in 1812. So get out!

    My family was.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kvnbeach wrote...
    Illegals
    June 9, 2012 7:31 am
    I have been a framer for 25 years and the only people who will do that type of work is Mexicans. All of my employees have their papers, but every once in awhile I will get a letter from SS telling me there is something wrong with that #. As soon as that happens, I fire them, I dont have to, but I do and i tell them to go home. I also, make sure the ones I hire have ethical values. I have fired or reported to the police of suspicious behavior. In their culture they can marry a woman at 14. In our culture any man who seeks a woman under 18, is a predator. I have had employees(Mexican) that have a wife and children in Mexico and a wife and kid in america. Now I realize this happens no matter what nationality u r, but I have spent a lot of time with Mexicans, and they are twisted. Last story, My step-sister was raped by a 35 year Mexican migrant worker in Yakima, when she was 14. She is now 20 and has 4 children with 3 different migrant workers. Who's paying for the welfare of these children?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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