The man accused of fleeing the scene of an accident that killed a young musician in Dormont, Pennsylvania is an illegal immigrant, Allegheny County police reportedly confirmed on Monday.
Police say the crash occurred Saturday night, with the Allegheny County Police Department (ACPD) reporting 25-year-old Saul Rivera-Ramirez ran away from the scene on foot after crashing into the motorcycle driven by 23-year-old Christian Sluka. First responders found Sluka in critical condition and he passed away at a local hospital, according to ACPD.
In statements posted to social media, ACPD alleged that Rivera-Ramirez first struck the motorcyclist, then fled the scene on foot, “along with a female and small child.”
“Rivera-Ramirez was taken into custody and is charged with homicide by vehicle, accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed and operating a vehicle without a license. He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail pending preliminary arraignment,” ACPD confirmed.
Detectives have identified the driver of the vehicle in this incident as 25-year-old Saul Rivera-Ramirez. https://t.co/seEEzIGJO4
— Allegheny County PD (@AlleghenyCoPD) September 22, 2024
Rivera-Ramirez was determined to be in the country illegally by Monday, with WPXI 11 News reporting ACPD stated, “detectives learned Rivera-Ramirez is not a United States Citizen and is an undocumented immigrant,” before referring the outlet to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Republican pundits and politicians highlighted the incident, with Dave McCormick, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, expressing condolences to Sluka’s family and blaming the loss on the border policies promoted by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and allowed under Vice President Kamala Harris in a statement.
“My heart goes out to the Sluka family,” said McCormick. “Saturday’s horrible incident is just one of the many ways Bob Casey and Kamala Harris’ liberal immigration policies are endangering our commonwealth. Pennsylvania families deserve a strong leader in the US Senate who will fight to secure our borders, enforce our laws, and restore public safety.”
The Libs of TikTok account on the social media platform X described the death of Sluka as “absolutely tragic,” and wrote that he “was a talented musician who leaves behind his mom and three brothers.”
ABSOLUTELY TRAGIC
Saul Rivera-Ramirez, an illegal, ran over 23-year-old Christian Sluka, kiIIing him.
Ramirez then fled from the scene before eventually being caught by the police.
Christian was a talented musician who leaves behind his mom and three brothers. pic.twitter.com/oXqyXcPvbb
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 23, 2024
A social media account that appeared to belong to Sluka described him as a “Hardcore Metal Head” and bassist for a Pittsburgh-area band.
Immigration continues to be a driving issue for voters ahead of the November elections, with polling released last week finding 54 percent of voters now support Trump’s plan to deport millions of illegal immigrants if elected.
Polling has shown many Americans expect the rate of illegal immigrants entering the country would increase under Harris, but will fall under Trump.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Saul Rivera-Ramirez” by Allegheny County Police Department.
