President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Democrats need to "get tough" on securing the border and stopping illegal immigration after police revealed that the suspected drunk driver who killed Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson and his Uber driver over the weekend is an illegal immigrant.
Trump tweeted that it was "disgraceful that a person illegally in our country" killed Jackson, calling the two deaths "one of many such preventable tragedies."
"So disgraceful that a person illegally in our country killed @Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson," Trump tweeted. "This is just one of many such preventable tragedies. We must get the Dems to get tough on the Border, and with illegal immigration, FAST!"
So disgraceful that a person illegally in our country killed @Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson. This is just one of many such preventable tragedies. We must get the Dems to get tough on the Border, and with illegal immigration, FAST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 6, 2018
Trump sent out another tweet expressing his condolences to Jackson's family, describing him as "a wonderful young man."
My prayers and best wishes are with the family of Edwin Jackson, a wonderful young man whose life was so senselessly taken. @Colts
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 6, 2018
Jackson, 26, and his Uber driver, Jeffrey Monroe, 54, were killed Sunday morning around 4 a.m. when a truck hit their car, which was parked on the emergency shoulder of Interstate 70 in Indiana. Monroe had pulled over to help Jackson, who was sick, police said.
Indiana State Police revealed Monday that Manuel Orrego-Savala was arrested after trying to flee the scene and is suspected of killing Jackson and Monroe with his F-150 truck.
Orrego-Savala, 37, is an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who had been deported twice from the U.S., in 2007 and 2009. He was driving without a license and is believed to have had a blood alcohol level of .15 at the time of the crash, according to jail records viewed by Fox News.
Vice President Mike Pence, who formerly served as the governor of Indiana, said that he was saddened by Jackson's death and that it was an "avoidable tragedy."
"On my way to Alaska. I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Indianapolis @Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson," Pence tweeted. "This was a senseless & avoidable tragedy. This is a great loss for the entire Indiana community. My prayers are with his family in their time of grief."
On my way to Alaska. I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Indianapolis @Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson. This was a senseless & avoidable tragedy. This is a great loss for the entire Indiana community. My prayers are with his family in their time of grief. https://t.co/JKkzxakfmE
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) February 6, 2018
The Colts released a statement mourning the loss of their teammate.
"We were heartbroken to hear the news of Edwin Jackson's passing," the team said. "Edwin was loved by all in the Colts organization. We admired his outgoing personality, competitive spirit, and hard-working mentality. He was well-respected among all with whom he crossed paths, and he will be greatly missed in our locker room and throughout our entire organization."
"We also understand that another person lost his life in the accident, only adding to our sorrow on this day," the statement continued. "We are shocked and saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of both men during this difficult time."