U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed an arrest detainer on Roberto Romero-Hernandez, a Mexican national described as a criminal illegal alien, following his arrest by Louisiana State Police in connection with the death of Rickey G. Maddox of Alexandria, Louisiana.
Authorities report that on August 3, 2025, Romero-Hernandez was driving under the influence and without a license when he struck Maddox, who was operating a lawn mower along Highway 1. Maddox sustained life-threatening injuries and later died at a local hospital.
Romero-Hernandez faces charges of vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated. ICE lodged the detainer to prevent his release into the community after any local legal proceedings.
Officials stated that Romero-Hernandez entered the United States at an unknown time and location.
“This criminal illegal alien’s reckless decision to drink and drive killed an innocent man. The senseless tragedy should have never happened because Romero-Hernandez should have never been in our country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Illegal aliens drinking and driving and killing American citizens happens far more often than the media wants you to know about. Just over the past two weeks, an illegal alien driving under the influence killed a mother and her 11-year-old daughter in New Jersey and two high school sweethearts in Wisconsin. Every death caused by an illegal alien is preventable.”
The Department of Homeland Security says its law enforcement officers are working daily to protect communities from similar incidents. The Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICE) offers support for victims of crimes committed by individuals unlawfully present in the U.S., reachable at 1-855-488-6423.
