Douglas County sheriff calling meeting with ICE after undocumented driver charged in fatal crash

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Neb. (KLKN) — Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has announced that they are calling for a meeting with local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials after a fatal crash occurred on Oct. 4.

Christopher Szalkowski, 70, was driving on Irvington Road when Jose Ortega-Romero, 32, failed to stop at a red light, causing a collision. Szalkowski was later pronounced dead from his injuries.

According to DCSO, the Ortega-Romero was determined to be undocumented.

DCSO Sheriff Aaron Hanson said things got controversial after Ortega-Romero was charged with motor vehicle homicide.

According to Hanson, Ortega-Romero was allowed to pay a bond that was lower than what the court had ordered. Hanson said Douglas County Corrections did not honor the 48-hour detainer that ICE put on Ortega-Romero.

Hanson said he is calling for a meeting between the leadership of the Douglas County Board, Douglas County Corrections Director Mike Myers, himself and local leadership at ICE.

“It’s time to find common ground,” Hanson said. “How do we prevent this from happening again? Let’s find a common sense and common ground agreement on rules of engagement moving forward. Let’s reduce that agreement to writing.”