Savannah teacher killed in crash by man fleeing from ICE

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - According to the Chatham County Police Department, Monday morning’s fatal crash was the result of a chase between Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a suspect.

CCPD said in a press release department officers responded to the crash around 7:45 a.m., which happened right outside one of its precincts. The crash killed Hesse K-8 teacher Linda Davis.

Preliminary information shows Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was conducting an operation in the area of the Truman Parkway, and attempted to pull a man identified as Oscar Vasquez Lopez over. Lopez didn’t pull over, and ICE agents began chasing him. Lopez then crashed into Davis.

Security footage from Hesse (below) shows a moment in that chase.

Davis was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Lopez was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Lopez has been arrested by CCPD officers and charged with first-degree homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, driving without valid license and failure to obey traffic control device.

According to a DHS press release, Lopez is from Guatemala and entered the United State illegally at an unknown time. A federal judge signed off on a final order of removal for Lopez in 2024.

Chatham County Sheriff’s Office records show Lopez has no prior criminal history in the county.

County officials unaware of DHS operation prior to crash

CCPD says the department was unaware that DHS or ICE was conducting any operations in the area, and that no CCPD officers were part of the chase.

Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis spoke to WTOC on Monday afternoon, saying if the County had been made aware, there likely would’ve been a way to arrest Lopez without endangering others and ultimately, killing Linda Davis.

“I’m saying to the President on down to all of our national leaders, there’s a better way to do this. And I think if you allow us to be at the table to draw out strategies and come up with ways of doing things, we can prevent this,” Ellis says.

Ellis also pointed out that local law enforcement agencies in Chatham County have restrictive chase policies, and would not have been able to take the action ICE did.

“We have a no chase policy, and the no-chase policy is to help protect our citizens more than it is anything else. So there may have been a different way to corner the individual so that he could not run, or that he could not cause the accident that took the life of Dr. Davis.”

CCPD Chief Jeff Hadley offered his condolences to Davis’ family, saying her death was likely preventable.

“Condolences to the Davis family, Savannah Chatham public schools, and anyone that’s affected by this. As the Chairman stated, this is really unfortunate and more than likely, preventable,” Hadley says.

According to Hadley, DHS has been cooperating with CCPD’s investigation of the crash.

School district responds to death of beloved Hesse K-8 School teacher

Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools announced that a member of their staff died in the fatal car crash Monday morning. Hesse K-8 School teacher Linda Davis was killed in a car crash near the school Monday morning.

The school district said they will have counselors at the school this week to support students and staff members.

Hesse K-8 School said, “Dr. Linda Davis was a beloved member of our school family and her loss has affected us deeply.”

In a statement on social media, Hesse K-8 Principal Alonna McMullen said there is a plan in place for students, staff and families when responding to tragic event.

“Our teachers and counselors have been briefed on our plans and have received guidelines for discussing about death and reactions to it. There will be district counseling personnel available to students and staff who need special attention and support. We will try to maintain as normal a routine and structure as the situation allows, and we encourage you to do the same,” wrote Principial McMullen in a statement.

“If you feel that your child or family needs some assistance, please contact us, and we will do everything we can to help you. We are also providing the following resource that may support you in speaking with you child. ”

A former coworker of Davis, Aisha Buchanan, visited the crash site hours later, saying the educator made a major impact on her life and the lives of everyone around her.

“She always made you feel like you mattered,” Buchanan said.

“Whether they’re a custodian or a teacher, a principal, or even a student, you always matter. And that was her message to everybody.”

Initial reports of crash near Whitefield Avenue at the Truman Parkway

Whitefield Avenue at the Truman Parkway closed in both directions Monday morning due to a traffic collision, confirmed the Chatham County Police Department.

Chatham County EMS said they responded to a call at around 7:25 a.m., one patient was trapped and needed extrication. That person was taken to the hospital and was in critical condition said Chatham EMS. Hours later, Whitefield Avenue reopened.

WTOC crews captured footage of officers with the Department of Homeland Security on site of the crash. Multiple masked agents were seen, and at least one was an Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officer.

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED

Warning: The following gallery contains intense images from a crash scene.

DHS responds

Reader’s Note: DHS’s statement reflects that the victim died on the scene. According to Chatham County EMS, the victim died at the hospital. DHS also noted that Vasquez Lopez is in the hospital. He has since been detained.

Georgia politicians respond

Local leaders respond

This is a developing story, WTOC will update this article with more information as it becomes available.