Bremerton – Heather Lee Meadows, 20, was driving down Interstate 5 when she was hit head-on by a car driven by Ngere Omari while he drove drunk the wrong way down the highly traveled freeway.
Meadows died almost instantly. Her passenger was seriously hurt, and Omari suffered a broken leg.
Omari, 30, at the time of the crash, was on probation and had a suspended license for a previous DUI when he struck Meadows’ car March 13, 2005. He registered a 0.18 percent blood-alcohol level after the crash.
He received the maximum sentence of six years. With credit for good behavior, he could be released early from Monroe Correction Complex this year. Upon release, the family wants him to be deported back to his country. This request has been denied.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said she is prohibited by the agency’s privacy policy to speak to Omari’s immigration status.
But she said a court decision in 2005 by the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the crime of vehicular homicide was not one that warrants “removal” from the country.
The decision was written by (then-Appellate, now a Supreme Court justice) Judge Samuel Alito. He ruled that vehicular homicide is not a deportable offense because it does not involve “intentional use” of force.
“As a law-enforcement agency we have to follow the law,” Dankers said.
The Meadows’ family revealed they believe Omari is from Rwanda and was granted amnesty in the United States. He had a “hold” placed on him by the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. It had appeared initially that he was eligible for deportation, but that hold was lifted in December, says the state Department of Corrections.
“It’s frustrating,” said Leah Meadows, Heather Meadows’ mother.
DUI vehicular homicides are tragic on all sides of the case. They take lives and rip apart families. The search for justice is often long and arduous. During the process it is important that the family has experienced representation working on their side to justify the situation to their satisfaction.
If you or a loved one have suffered due to DUI, head-on collision, a wrong way collision, or wrongful death call Phillips Webster to review your legal options.
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