A Savannah teacher was killed Monday morning when a man fleeing a traffic stop by federal immigration agents crashed into her vehicle near Truman Parkway, according to the Chatham County Police Department.
How the Crash Unfolded
Police say officers responded around 7:45 a.m. to a serious crash near Whitefield Avenue and Truman Parkway, just outside one of CCPD’s precincts. The collision involved a suspect identified as Oscar Vasquez Lopez, who authorities say was being pursued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during a Department of Homeland Security operation in the area. Preliminary information indicates agents attempted to stop Lopez, who didn’t comply and drove off instead. During that pursuit, Lopez crashed into a vehicle driven by Linda Davis, a teacher at Hesse K-8 School.
Chatham County EMS reported arriving around 7:25 a.m. and extricating one patient trapped inside a vehicle. Davis was transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Lopez was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the scene.
Charges Filed Against Lopez
Police arrested Lopez and charged him with first-degree homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, driving without a valid license, and failure to obey a traffic control device. As with any pending case, these charges represent allegations that have not yet been proven in court.
Background on the Suspect
According to DHS, Lopez is from Guatemala and had been issued a final order of removal by a federal judge in 2024. Authorities say he entered the United States at an unknown time and location. Chatham County Sheriff’s Office records show Lopez had no prior criminal history within the county.
A Federal Operation Local Police Weren’t Told About
Chatham County Police said they were not notified in advance of the federal operation and had no officers involved in the pursuit itself. DHS officials say they are cooperating with the local investigation into the crash.
Whitefield Avenue was closed in both directions for several hours following the crash before reopening later that day. Lopez remains in custody as the investigation continues.