USC student killed in hit-and-run, suspect wanted by ICE arrested
The Columbia Police Department arrested a man after a hit-and-run resulted in the death of a University of South Carolina student.
Around 2 p.m. Wednesday, a man was traveling westbound on a motorcycle along Blossom Street when he was struck by a truck at the Assembly Street intersection.
According to CPD, the driver of the pickup left the scene after the collision.
The victim was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
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A nearby officer captured and arrested the driver at the 1100 block of Greene Street. The driver, identified as 24-year-old Rosali I. Fernandez-Cruz was charged with hit-and-run resulting in death, failure to render aid and driving without a license.
Officers said two male passengers were with Fernandez-Cruz during the collision and also ran from the scene. No charges are pending against them.
After researching the suspect’s name in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, CPD officers learned that Fernandez-Cruz was wanted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CPD has communicated with ICE regarding Fernandez-Cruz’s arrest.
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On Thursday, a judge denied bond for Fernandez-Cruz. He remains in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 21-year-old Nathanial G. Baker of Virginia. USC confirmed Baker was a student.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), "Another life stolen by an illegal alien who shouldn’t have been here. South Carolina’s kids are our everything—I’ll be damned if I let another parent bury their child because of an illegal alien."
Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin also posted about the tragedy on social media.