Colorado immigration advocate killed in crash with Salvadoran who once sought sanctuary in church: report
A
Colorado father of five who was a staunch supporter for
immigrant rights died last week when his motorcycle was hit by a Salvadoran man living in the United States illegally who had made headlines earlier this year for seeking
sanctuary in a local
church, reports say.
Sean Buchanan, 45, was reportedly driving on Highway 83 in Colorado Springs on August 2 when a truck operated by Miguel Ramirez Valiente went off the side of the road.
When Valiente tried to over-correct into the wrong lane, he allegedly crashed into Buchanan’s motorcycle, killing the father of five almost instantly.
Ramirez was taken to a hospital after the crash. Colorado State Master Trooper Gary Cutler told the
Denver Channel that he was not arrested because most of the time they don't arrest on a fatality accident "unless there is a high risk of intoxication." They don’t suspect drugs, alcohol or excessive speed contributed to the crash.
Authorities told the
Colorado Springs Gazette that Ramirez was cited with careless driving resulting in death, which is a traffic misdemeanor. He is also accused of driving with a revoked license.
Miguel Ramirez Valiente, who is seeking sanctuary with the help of local churches and organizations, attends a press conference at the All Souls Unitarian Church on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, in Colorado Springs, Colo. He is living at the church. Ramirez Valiente is from El Salvador and came to the U.S. 14 years ago fearing gang violence. His wife and children are U.S. citizens, but Ramirez Valiente is facing deportation. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP)
In an ironic twist, Buchanan was a staunch supporter of immigrant rights.
Colorado immigration advocate killed in crash with Salvadoran who once sought sanctuary in church: report