Immigrant driver released after pastor’s fatal accident

The family of a Michigan pastor is questioning why the illegal immigrant driver involved in the fatal crash that killed their loved one was released after the incident. Stephen Singleton, 72, died after suffering serious injuries when he was struck by a vehicle driven by an illegal immigrant earlier this month.

The driver involved in the crash was identified as a Colombian citizen who entered the United States illegally, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Authorities released the driver pending a future court appearance, a decision that leaves the Singleton family searching for answers.

“I had to watch my husband of 53 years die in front of my eyes, and then to know that the person who did this is walking around is very difficult to deal with,” his wife Teri Singleton said. Fox 2 Detroit. “He’s dead and they’re walking around. That bothers me,” she added, echoing the sadness and disbelief felt by her family.

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The incident occurred in early November when Singleton, a well-known preacher in the Detroit area, was struck while on one of his regular morning walks. according to told ABC 7. Police said Singleton was wearing a reflective vest and crossing a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a man driving a 2013 Ford Focus.

“Almost every bone in his body was broken,” Teri said. “He had a broken collarbone, internal organ damage and his skull was cracked. He underwent two craniotomies in the hospital.” Despite medical intervention, Singleton succumbed to his injuries several days later.

‘One day I wake up and I know he’s gone for something so simple and meaningless. I just don’t understand it,” Singleton’s daughter Ruth said in an interview with ABC 7. Ruth expressed her determination to hold on to the values ​​her father lived by. “I’m not going to be angry because this happened,” she said. “I refuse to be angry. I will still love the way my father taught me.”

Singleton was a respected figure in his community, known for his dedication to his congregation and his compassionate service beyond the church walls. He had previously worked as a medic and had volunteered at Ground Zero after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, where he provided aid to injured victims and attended prayer services with other religious leaders.

“After everyone had prayed, he began to say the Our Father, and he said it in a whisper, he said it with a shout, he said it with a song, and then he said it with such passion that it brought me to tears,” said Pastor Singleton during an interview with Fox 2 in September 2023.

Witnesses reported the driver ran a red light before hitting Singleton. Despite the tragic outcome, investigators do not believe speed or alcohol played a role in the crash. Michigan state law allows non-citizens to drive with a foreign driver’s license as long as it is printed in English or accompanied by an English translation.

Teri described her husband’s dedication to his community. “He was a loving person who took care of everyone,” Teri said. “I mean, the whole neighborhood, everyone in our community has come to my door. They didn’t even see the name on the report, but they knew him because of his habits.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for a dignified memorial service for Singleton.

In a separate incident in September, an illegal immigrant accused of raping a 14-year-old girl and repeatedly stabbing a man during a robbery was arrested in connection with the crimes just a few months after being released from custody at the southwest border . to a conference report.

The Republican-led Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and its Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement released a report at the time citing figures showing that the government has sent 5.6 million illegal immigrants to the United States over the past four years. the US has released. another 1.9 million escaped into the country during this period.

Under the Biden administration, U.S. Border Patrol also released an illegal migrant who then killed Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student. Despite multiple encounters with law enforcement after illegally entering the US, the man was allowed to walk free.

An interim page report from the US House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement said Riley’s death in February was a result of border policies under the Biden-Harris administration.

Riley’s body was discovered on the campus of the University of Georgia.