DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has requested an arrest detainer for the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run in Durham last month, federal officials said Monday.
Wilmer Marcotulio Fuentes-Mejia, 30, is accused of causing the crash that killed 61-year-old Richard Ferguson Jr. of Durham near a bus stop in front of the 900 block of Chalk Level Road on Sept. 13. He was taken into custody three days later, according to Durham police.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man arrested in deadly pedestrian hit-and-run near Durham bus stop, police say
Court records show Fuentes-Mejia is charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony hit-and-run with death, driving while license revoked for impairment, reckless driving with wanton disregard, and failure to maintain law control. He was given $5 million secured bond and has remained in custody at the Durham County Detention Facility since his arrest.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Fuentes-Mejia, also known as Werner Orosco-Clemente, is a citizen of Guatemala who entered the country illegally twice. He first entered the U.S. in 2015 and was deported in 2020 before returning again, a felony offense.
As of Monday, federal officials said they do not know when Fuentes-Mejia returned to the U.S.
RELATED: New charges filed against suspect in deadly hit-and-run near Durham bus stop, police say
Under the ICE detainer, Fuentes-Mejia must remain at the Durham County Detention Center for up to an additional 48 hours if he posts bond, giving the DHS the opportunity to assume custody.
“Wilmer Fuentes Mejia is a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala who has a history of driving while intoxicated and was previously deported by ICE in 2020. A local DA allowed him to walk free after multiple DUIs only to then cause this fatal hit-and-run that killed an innocent 61-year-old man in North Carolina,” Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “Richard Ferguson Jr. will get justice. ICE lodged a detainer for this criminal to ensure this menace and public safety threat isn’t released back onto America’s streets.”
