Guatemalan national with long criminal history kills illinois woman after sanctuary policies block ice custody

Guatemalan national with long criminal history kills Illinois woman after sanctuary policies block ICE custody

by
August 17, 2025
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Chicago, IL – A 61-year-old Illinois woman is dead after a head-on crash involving a Guatemalan national with a years-long criminal record, who had evaded immigration detention at least seven times due to sanctuary laws in place across the state, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

On August 9, Rolando Ico-Choc, 30, was driving south on Illinois Route 26 when he veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a vehicle driven by Darcy Brunner of Freeport, Illinois. Brunner died at the scene.

ICE officials say the crash was preventable, pointing to Ico-Choc’s extensive criminal record that includes multiple DUI arrests, domestic battery, endangering the life of a child, resisting arrest, and operating uninsured vehicles. Despite these repeated offenses, ICE said local authorities were unable to honor any of the seven detainers it had issued for Ico-Choc over the past three years due to Illinois sanctuary policies, including the Illinois Trust Act.

In his most recent case, Ico-Choc was convicted of DUI in January and served just seven days in jail. He was released again, despite ICE’s request for custody.

“Seven times ICE asked for custody, and seven times local law enforcement was forced to ignore those requests,” said ERO Chicago acting Field Office Director Shawn Byers, who called the crash “a preventable tragedy.”

ICE emphasized that detainers are formal requests asking local law enforcement to hold non-citizens in custody for up to 48 hours to allow for federal transfer. When these detainers are not honored, individuals with serious criminal records can return to the community unchecked.

The incident is likely to intensify debate over sanctuary laws and cooperation between state and federal law enforcement in immigration matters.

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Key Points

  • A Guatemalan national with seven prior ICE detainers caused a fatal crash in Illinois
  • Darcy Brunner, 61, was killed instantly when her vehicle was struck head-on by Ico-Choc
  • ICE blames Illinois sanctuary policies for repeated release of the offender

Sanctuary law fallout as woman killed by man ICE tried to detain seven times

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital news organization covering New Jersey, national politics, public policy, public safety, and community affairs. With years of experience reporting on local government, elections, law enforcement, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey, Stilton has built a reputation for delivering timely news, in-depth reporting, and accountability journalism.

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