SAVANNAH, Ga. – A beloved teacher at Hesse K-8 School in Savannah was killed in a crash early Monday morning near the school, authorities confirmed.
Dr. Linda Davis, died after a vehicle crash around 7:45 a.m. The collision involved a vehicle driven by 38-year-old Oscar Vasquez Lopez, who was fleeing from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at the time, according to officials.
The Chatham County Police Department said Lopez will face felony first-degree vehicular homicide charges along with several traffic violations. Lopez sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken into custody. Davis was pronounced dead at the hospital.
According to the Chatham County Police Department, officers responded quickly to the scene but were not involved in the ICE operation or pursuit. The department said it was unaware of the federal pursuit until after the crash occurred.
ICE officials stated that Lopez is in the country illegally from Guatemala and was issued a final order of removal by a federal judge in 2024. During the attempted traffic stop, Lopez initially complied but then fled, making a reckless U-turn and running a red light before the fatal collision, according to Homeland Security officials.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security condemned the incident, calling it a “deadly consequence” of some politicians encouraging illegal immigrants to resist federal law enforcement. She emphasized the dangers of fleeing from ICE officers, which she said puts innocent civilians at risk.
The Hesse K-8 School principal released a message to parents expressing deep sorrow over Dr. Davis’s death. The school has activated a support plan to help students and staff cope with the loss, including counseling services and guidance on discussing grief.
“We all should expect and try to understand that there will be a variety of emotions and responses to what has occurred,” the principal said. The school encourages families to maintain routines while providing support to those affected.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
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