Indiana Republican representative Todd Rokita called for swift legislative action to address illegal immigration after news broke Monday that an illegal immigrant suspected of drunk driving killed two Hoosiers, including Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson.
"The loss of life at the hands of illegal immigrant criminals should make all Hoosiers sad and ultimately angry," Rokita said in a statement. "We must do more to get these dangerous illegal immigrant criminals off of our streets, and guarantee this never happens again by building a wall, ending sanctuary cities, and stopping illegal immigration once and for all."
Numerous media outlets on Monday reported that Manuel Orrego-Savala, the suspected drunk driver, is a Guatemalan citizen who is in the U.S. illegally and has been deported two times.
Congress is considering immigration legislation this week to resolve an impasse that resulted in a brief government shutdown last month. Sens. John McCain (R., Ariz.) and Christopher Coons (D., Del.), introduced a bipartisan plan Monday designed to address two contentious parts of the immigration debate.
The bill would provide permanent legal status to illegal immigrants known as "dreamers" and also bolster security at the U.S.-Mexico border, but it would stop short of providing the $25 billion President Trump is seeking to build a wall at the border.
Rokita has authored a bill that would impose tough penalties on so-called sanctuary cities who refuse to cooperate with federal enforcement authorities in holding and detaining illegal immigrants accused of crimes.
Jackson and his Uber driver, Jeffrey Monroe, were killed early Sunday morning when a truck hit their car, which was parked on the emergency shoulder on Interstate 70 in Indianapolis. Indiana State Police on Monday said Orrego-Savala, 37, was arrested after trying to flee the scene on foot.
Their car was on the side of the interstate while Monroe got out of the car to help Jackson, who was sick, police said. Monroe, 54, and Jackson, 26, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Colts mourned the loss of their teammate in a statement.
"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. We are shocked and saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of both men during this difficult time."