A special education teacher in Savannah, Georgia, was killed Monday morning when a man fleeing a federal immigration stop crashed into her vehicle, authorities confirmed.
The victim was identified by school officials as Dr. Linda Davis, an educator at Herman W. Hesse K-8 School. The collision occurred shortly before 7:45 a.m. as she was driving to work on Presidents Day.
Law enforcement officials said 38 year old Oscar Vasquez Lopez, a Guatemalan national in the country without legal status, was the driver being targeted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers due to a final removal order issued in 2024. According to authorities, Lopez initially stopped when agents attempted a traffic stop but then fled, made a U turn, ran a red light, and collided with Davis’s vehicle near the school.
Davis was transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Lopez sustained non life threatening injuries and was taken into custody. He faces multiple charges, including first degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license.
The Chatham County Police Department stated it was not notified in advance of the federal enforcement action and was not involved in the attempted stop. Local officials have since raised questions about coordination between agencies.
School district leaders described Davis as a devoted teacher, and counseling services have been made available for students and staff following the fatal crash.