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5:31 a.m. • 2-11-12

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Illegal Immigrant Charged With Manslaughter in Fatal Hit-and-Run


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Luciano Tellez (Tellez Diaz) in court
Luciano Tellez (Tellez Diaz) in court

The driver of a car that slammed into a tractor-trailer Sunday night, killing two people, was charged Tuesday morning with involuntary manslaughter, authorities said.

Luciano Tellez, 31, of Angier, who is also known as Tellez Diaz, was charged Monday night with two counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle, felony hit-and-run, running a stop sign and driving with a suspended license.

Federal authorities have determined that Diaz was in the U.S. illegally and have placed a detainer on him in case he makes his $2 million bond and is released from the Johnston County Detention Center. Authorities said they would let the legal system run its course before determining whether to deport him.

The state Highway Patrol is still trying to sort out the details involving the fatal wreck, which occurred at the intersection of N.C. Highway 210 and Plainview Church Road near Angier.

Authorities said Tellez ran a stop sign at the intersection and rammed into a tractor-trailer. The rig veered off the road, overturned and caught fire, killing the driver and a passenger, authorities said.

Tellez fled the scene on foot. Two passengers in the car remained at the scene and told authorities what happened.

Authorities identified the two victims of the wreck as Jerry "Duane" Braswell, 35, of 3833 Manor Drive in Clayton, and his 9-year-old son, Jerry Braswell Jr.

The boy was a third-grader at Cleveland Elementary School, and school officials had counselors on campus Tuesday to talk with other students.

"He always had a smile on his face and a funny story to tell," Principal Linda Edmundson said. "Jerry will truly be missed."

A family friend said Braswell and his son were heading home Sunday evening when the wreck occurred. The father often took his son and his 12-year-old daughter along when he dropped off equipment and picked up his paycheck on Sundays, the friend said.

Braswell's daughter was home sick Sunday night, the friend said.

Authorities also found that Tellez was wanted for violating the terms of his probation. He was convicted of drunken driving in 2005 and has a suspended license, authorities said. Authorities said they believe alcohol played a role in Sunday's wreck.

Raleigh police weren't required to inform immigration officials of Tellez' prior arrest because he was charged only with a misdemeanor and had a valid driver's license, said Jim Sughrue, spokesman for the Raleigh Police Department.

Braswell is survived by his wife and a 12-year-old daughter. A visitation will be held from noon until 2 p.m. Thursday at Raleigh First Church of the Nazarene on U.S. Highway 70 in Garner, followed immediately by funeral services.

RELATED TOPICS: Johnston County, Raleigh, Clayton, Garner, Cleveland County

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Latest Comments
jmr-stop making excuses. the difference between legal and illegal is one crosses the desert and the other waits in line.

My heart goes out to this family in their time of grief. The outpourings here serve one purpose. You are not alone in your grief, despair and outrage.

I will again ask, Does anyone know the difference between being illegal and being legal? MONEY!!!!

I totally agree with steel1. These 2 people would still be here if this man WAS NOT here. His immigration status has everything to do with this, and the immigration status of countless others have everything to do with a great number of crimes committed here in our country, because those crimes would not have occurred had it not been for these people being here illegally. The government needs to wake up, and something needs to be done to get these people out of here and keep them out!

My heart goes out to all who have lost a dear one in the hands of drunk drivers. I agree that race is not an issue here , however we have enough problems with our own citizens driving drunk , we don't need people that are here illegally to add on to to this. Let them drive drunk in their own countries. Another problem is that these people don't have insurance, so who pays double? WE DO!

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