LOS ANGELES \u2014 An illegal immigrant with a history of drunk driving is now behind bars for allegedly causing a fiery, head-on crash while inebriated in San Diego that killed an 8-year-old girl and injured several others, The Post has learned.<\/p>\n
Brayan Alva-Rodriguez, 25, who is from Guatemala, was allegedly drunk behind the wheel of his Toyota Tacoma when he crossed the double-yellow line on San Felipe Road near Ranchita on Sunday \u2014 smashing straight into a Toyota Camry, the\u00a0San Diego Union-Tribune\u00a0first reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alva-Rodriguez\u2019s Tacoma then smashed into a Ford F-350 with a utility trailer that had been ahead of him in the other lane, causing the migrant\u2019s truck to flip and erupt into flames, the outlet also noted, citing California Highway Patrol.<\/p>\n Brayan Alva-Rodriguez, 25, who is from Guatemala, was allegedly drunk behind the wheel of his Toyota Tacoma when he crossed the double-yellow line on San Felipe Road near Ranchita on Sunday. DHS via San Diego Tribune<\/p>\n Only Alva-Rodriguez and his passenger were able to exit their vehicles on their own, though both sustained injuries and had to be transported to a local hospital.<\/p>\n Seven people in total were injured. Three children were in the back of the Camry \u2014 including two boys, ages 4 and 5, and the fatal 8-year-old girl.<\/p>\n Alva-Rodriguez, whose last name is reversed in county booking records as \u201cBrayan Rodriguez Alva,\u201d was booked Thursday by the San Diego County Sheriff\u2019s Department and charged with first-degree murder, two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, as well as felony charges for driving under the influence and causing bodily injury to the seven in the accident.<\/p>\n The Guatemalan national was previously charged with DUIs in San Diego and Vista on Sept. 6, 2020, and April 7, 2021, respectively, with the latter incident also including a hit-and-run charge, according to Department of Homeland Security officials.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear when Alva-Rodriguez entered the US.<\/p>\n Immigration and Customs Enforcement has since lodged an arrest detainer to eventually deport Alva-Rodriguez. AP<\/p>\n He\u2019s currently being held on a more than $2 million bond at the San Diego Central jail. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2026.<\/p>\n Immigration and Customs Enforcement has since lodged an arrest detainer to eventually deport Alva-Rodriguez, but the San Diego sheriff\u2019s office denied the same request in a separate case involving a Mexican migrant \u2014 who had been removed from the US four times prior \u2014\u00a0accused of killing an 11-year-old boy<\/a>\u00a0in a brazen hit-and-run on Thanksgiving eve.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for the office pointed to California\u2019s so-called \u201csanctuary\u201d law barring them from coordinating with ICE to deport that migrant, Hector Balderas-Aheelor, who had no prior criminal charges.<\/p>\n The Post reviewed a copy of the detainer showing that the sheriff\u2019s office noted the Mexican national would be subject to removal upon conviction from the hit-and-run charge.<\/p>\n Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz, 11, was running after his soccer ball at the end of the street outside his home on Nov. 26 in Escondido, Calif., when Balderas-Aheelor allegedly ran him over and then sped off. Facebook\/Salvador De Paz<\/p>\n Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz, 11, was running after his soccer ball at the end of the street outside his home on Nov. 26 in Escondido, Calif., when Balderas-Aheelor allegedly ran him over and then sped off.<\/p>\n The boy died at a nearby hospital on Thanksgiving Day. His family later shared\u00a0heartbreaking tributes online<\/a>\u00a0and a vigil was held near their home in Escondido.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tLove West Coast news? The California Post is coming soon.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet in early. Stay updated.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Balderas-Aheelor, who is being held on a $300,000 bail, was deported from the country four previous times \u2014 as far back as 2004. Prosecutors said in a Wednesday arraignment hearing that he posed a flight risk and was a \u201ctransient.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis case is a tragedy and every parents\u2019 worst nightmare. We are doing everything in our power to get justice for Aiden\u2019s family,\u201d Deputy District Attorney Nicole Gerard said after the hearing.<\/p>\n Balderas-Aheelor, who is being held on a $300,000 bail, was deported from the country four previous times \u2014 as far back as 2004. Prosecutors said in a Wednesday arraignment hearing that he posed a flight risk and was a \u201ctransient.\u201d London Entertainment<\/p>\n The Post has reached out to the San Diego sheriff\u2019s office for comment about Alva-Rodriguez\u2019s ICE detainer.<\/p>\n