The US Attorney’s Office announced Thursday a federal grand jury in Raleigh returned an indictment against Felix Antonio Juarez-Antunez. The 35 year-old man who is from Honduras and most recently living on Barbour Road in Smithfield, was charged with illegal reentry of a deported alien. He had previously been deported twice.
In a press release, Robert J. Hidgon Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina said the defendant could face maximum penalties of 2 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine if convicted. That’s in addition to state charges Juarez-Antunez faces after Smithfield Police said he caused a deadly crash on November 10th.
Police said Juarez-Antunez was operating a 2003 Toyota passenger car and speeding when he slammed into the back of a 2017 Dodge SUV stopped for a stoplight at the intersection of Durwood Stephenson Highway and Wilson’s Mills Road in West Smithfield. The impact killed the driver of the SUV, Marjory Howell Wagner Regan, 65, of Selma. Two days later, a passenger, 15 year-old Ethan Michael Handly of Smithfield, died at Wake Med as a result of injuries he sustained. Two other passengers in the SUV, ages 14 and 15, were seriously injured but survived.
According to a Smithfield Police accident report, officers estimated Juarez-Antunez was traveling at 110 miles per hour on Durwood Stephenson Highway moments before the collision. His Toyota left 117 feet of skid marks prior to impact with the rear of the SUV. Police estimated he was still traveling at 90 miles per hour at the time of impact. The SUV was stationary when it was hit from behind. It was pushed forward 87 feet. The Toyota traveled 50 feet after the impact. A third vehicle at the intersection was struck by debris from the collision but no one inside that car was hurt.
Police have charged Juarez-Antunez with felony death by a motor vehicle and felony serious injury by a motor vehicle. Alcohol was reported to be a contributing factor. Police are awaiting results of a blood test to determine his impairment level. Additional charges have not been ruled out.
The federal illegal reentry case is being investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations.
“He had previously been deported twice.”
Three strikes… you’re out.
Shoot the bast@rd.