ICE: Repeat Deportee Kills College Student in CT Crash
What happens when someone is deported twice — and still ends up back in the US? On October 16, 2026, Ryan O'Shea, a 21-year-old University of New Haven hockey player, was killed in a head-on crash on I-91 in Connecticut. ICE says the driver, Guillermo Carmona-Lopez, had been removed from the US twice and had illegally reentered at least three times.
A fatal crash and a long removal history
Ryan O'Shea was driving home from a hockey game on the night of October 16 when a pickup truck heading the wrong way in the southbound lanes of I-91 struck his car head-on in North Haven, Connecticut. The force of the collision pushed O'Shea's vehicle into two more cars. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 21 years old, a senior at the University of New Haven, and had planned a career in law enforcement.
The driver, Guillermo Carmona-Lopez, 41, is a Mexican national with a documented removal history stretching back more than a decade. US Border Patrol first arrested him in May 2013 after he crossed the border illegally. Authorities issued an expedited removal order and sent him back. He reentered near the Rio Grande Valley the same month. A Department of Justice immigration judge then issued a final order of removal on May 30, 2013. Carmona-Lopez reentered the country at least one more time — at an unknown location and date — before the fatal crash. Reentering the US after a formal removal order is a federal felony.
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What ICE said — and what this means for removal enforcement
Acting ICE Director David J. Venturella issued a statement calling O'Shea's death "a devastating loss." He said: "Ryan O'Shea was just 21 years old. He was a college student, a hockey player and a young man preparing for a career protecting others. His family should be celebrating his accomplishments and looking forward to his future. Instead, they're mourning a life tragically cut short." Connecticut State Police are still investigating the crash, including why Carmona-Lopez was driving against traffic on I-91.
This case illustrates a core tension in US immigration enforcement: a final order of removal (a judge's binding decision that a person must leave the country) does not guarantee that someone stays out. When a person with a removal order reenters, federal law treats it as a separate felony offense. ICE can — and does — prioritize such individuals for arrest. Under the 2026 fee schedule, ICE charges $5,300 for apprehending someone who has reentered after removal. That fee is assessed against the individual, not the government.
What to do if you or someone you know has a removal order
- Do not reenter the US after a removal order. Doing so is a federal felony and makes you a top enforcement priority for ICE. There is no grace period.
- If you are inside the US and have an old removal order, talk to an immigration lawyer immediately. In some cases, a Motion to Reopen (filed within 90 days of the order) may allow a judge to reconsider your case.
- If ICE arrests you, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. Do not sign any documents before consulting an attorney.
- To report suspicious activity or crimes to ICE, call 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or use the online tip form on the ICE website.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
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Anyone with a prior removal order who is currently in the US is in one of the highest-priority enforcement categories ICE uses. If that person has also reentered after removal, they face a federal felony charge on top of the immigration case — two separate legal problems that require two separate strategies. A Motion to Reopen the immigration case may be possible in limited circumstances, but an attorney needs to review the full record before advising on that. Do not try to handle a prior removal order without qualified legal counsel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a final order of removal?
A final order of removal is a binding decision by a US immigration judge that a person must leave the country. Once issued, the person generally has 30 days to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. If they do not appeal, or if the appeal fails, ICE can carry out the removal at any time.
Is it a crime to reenter the US after being deported?
Yes. Reentering the US after a formal removal order is a federal felony under US law. Penalties can include prison time, and the person becomes a top priority for ICE arrest. As of October 2026, ICE charges $5,300 to apprehend someone who has reentered after removal.
Can a removal order be reopened or canceled?
In some cases, yes. A Motion to Reopen asks an immigration judge to reconsider the case — for example, if new evidence exists or if the person was not properly notified of their hearing. The standard deadline to file is 90 days from the removal order. An immigration lawyer can tell you whether any exceptions apply to your situation.
What rights do I have if ICE arrests me?
You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration history or country of origin. You have the right to speak with a lawyer — though the government is not required to provide one for free in immigration cases. Do not sign any documents before consulting an attorney.