Savannah trainer killed in crash by man fleeing from ICE
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – Based on the Chatham County Police Division, Monday morning’s deadly crash was the results of a chase between Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a suspect.
CCPD stated in a press launch division officers responded to the crash round 7:45 am, which occurred proper exterior considered one of its precincts. The crash killed Hesse Okay-8 trainer Linda Davis.
Preliminary info exhibits Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) was conducting an operation within the space of the Truman Parkway, and tried to drag a person recognized as Oscar Vasquez Lopez over. Lopez did not pull over, and ICE brokers started chasing him. Lopez then crashed into Davis.
Safety footage from Hesse (beneath) exhibits a second in that chase.
Davis was taken to the hospital the place she was pronounced lifeless. Lopez was handled for non-life-threatening accidents.
Lopez has been arrested by CCPD officers and charged with first-degree murder by automobile, reckless driving, driving with out legitimate license and failure to obey visitors management system.
Based on a DHS press launch, Lopez is from Guatemala and entered the United State illegally at an unknown time. A federal decide signed off on a last order of elimination for Lopez in 2024.
Chatham County Sheriff’s Workplace data present Lopez has no prior legal historical past within the county.
County officers unaware of DHS operation previous to crash
CCPD says the division was unaware that DHS or ICE was conducting any operations within the space, and that no CCPD officers had been a part of the chase.
Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis spoke to WTOC on Monday afternoon, saying if the County had been made conscious, there possible would’ve been a method to arrest Lopez with out endangering others and finally, killing Linda Davis.
“I am saying to the President on all the way down to all of our nationwide leaders, there’s a greater approach to do that. And I feel should you enable us to be on the desk to attract out methods and provide you with methods of doing issues, we are able to stop this,” Ellis says.
Ellis additionally identified that native legislation enforcement businesses in Chatham County have restrictive chase insurance policies, and wouldn’t have been in a position to take the motion ICE did.
“Now we have a no chase coverage, and the no-chase coverage is to assist shield our residents greater than it’s the rest. So there could have been a special method to nook the person in order that he couldn’t run, or that he couldn’t trigger the accident that took the lifetime of Dr. Davis.”
CCPD Chief Jeff Hadley provided his condolences to Davis’ household, saying his demise was possible preventable.
“Condolences to the Davis household, Savannah Chatham public faculties, and anybody who’s affected by this. Because the Chairman acknowledged, that is actually unlucky and greater than possible, preventable,” Hadley says.
Based on Hadley, DHS has been cooperating with CCPD’s investigation of the crash.
Faculty district responds to demise of beloved Hesse Okay-8 Faculty trainer
Savannah-Chatham County Public Colleges introduced {that a} member of their workers died within the deadly automotive crash Monday morning. Hesse Okay-8 Faculty trainer Linda Davis was killed in a automotive crash close to the varsity Monday morning.
The varsity district stated they are going to have counselors on the college this week to assist college students and workers members.
Hesse Okay-8 Faculty stated, “Dr. Linda Davis was a beloved member of our college household and her loss has affected us deeply.”

In an announcement on social media, Hesse Okay-8 Principal Alonna McMullen stated there’s a plan in place for college kids, workers and households when responding to tragic occasion.
“Our lecturers and counselors have been briefed on our plans and have acquired pointers for discussing demise and reactions to it. There will probably be district counseling personnel obtainable to college students and workers who want particular consideration and assist. We are going to attempt to keep as regular a routine and construction because the state of affairs permits, and we encourage you to do the identical,” wrote Principal McMullen in an announcement.
“In case you really feel that your little one or household wants some help, please contact us, and we are going to do every part we are able to that can assist you. We’re additionally offering the next useful resource that will assist you in talking with you little one.”
A former coworker of Davis, Aisha Buchanan, visited the crash website hours later, saying the educator made a significant influence on her life and the lives of everybody round her.
“She at all times made you’re feeling such as you mattered,” Buchanan stated.
“Whether or not they’re a custodian or a trainer, a principal, or perhaps a pupil, you at all times matter. And that was her message to everybody.”
Preliminary experiences of crash close to Whitefield Avenue on the Truman Parkway
Whitefield Avenue on the Truman Parkway closed in each instructions Monday morning attributable to a visitors collision, confirmed the Chatham County Police Division.
Chatham County EMS stated they responded to a name at round 7:25 am, one affected person was trapped and wanted extrication. That individual was taken to the hospital and was in crucial situation stated Chatham EMS. Hours later, Whitefield Avenue reopened.
WTOC crews captured footage of officers with the Division of Homeland Safety on website of the crash. A number of masked brokers had been seen, and not less than one was an Enforcement and Elimination Operations (ERO) officer.
VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED
Warning: The next gallery accommodates intense photos from a crash scene.
DHS responds
Reader’s Be aware: DHS’s assertion displays that the sufferer died on the scene. Based on Chatham County EMS, the sufferer died on the hospital. DHS additionally famous that Vasquez Lopez is within the hospital. He has since been detained.
Georgia politicians responded
The Left has a Georgian’s blood on its fingers, as soon as once more.
A beloved native trainer misplaced her life as a result of an unlawful immigrant going through deportation refused to cooperate with ICE.
We should throw the ebook at this particular person.
That is what occurs when politicians like Jon Ossoff…
— Buddy Carter (@RepBuddyCarter) February 16, 2026
Native leaders reply
This can be a growing story, WTOC will replace this text with extra info because it turns into obtainable.
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