“this Is an Intentional Act,” New Details Released on Driver Accused of Killing 4

The Unintended Consequences of Drinking and Driving

This isn’t just another tragic story. This is a stark reminder of the perils of combining alcohol with driving, all under the eyes of law enforcement who were seconds away from apprehending Rosario-Cruz before he committed this unforgivable act.

Contextualizing the Incident

The crash occurred on Friday morning in Canadian County. Kiercy Hickson, Brad Palmer, Haleigh Salazar, and Quincy Jones, all young individuals, were driving eastbound on I-40 when they were struck head-on by Rosario-Cruz’s vehicle. The wrong-way driver got on the interstate at Meridian Avenue but was heading west in the eastbound lanes.

“Troopers immediately responded and were just seconds behind him whenever the collision happened,” said Tim Tipton, Commissioner of Public Safety. “We had almost caught up to him, but the collision had already taken place by the time we got there.”

Charges and Impeccable Evidence

Rosario-Cruz was arrested on multiple counts including four complaints of second-degree murder, two counts of DUI causing great bodily injury, transporting an open container, possessing a firearm with an altered ID during the commission of a felony, carrying firearms while under the influence, and wrong way on a one-way road. Tipton confirmed that Rosario-Cruz was likely impaired at the time of the crash.

“This isn’t an accident,” Tipton stated emphatically. “This is the murder of four young kids, three of them that just graduated the week before from high school. This is an intentional act. This defendant in this case made the decision, intentional decision to go and drink at a local bar, restaurant, then get on the interstate, still impaired and getting on the wrong direction in a large vehicle, a truck.”

Immigration Status and Beyond

Rosario-Cruz is not a legal citizen of the United States. He has DACA status from 2015 but was given a work permit in Oklahoma. Once authorities learned about his immigration status, they contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to put a detainer on him.

“BE THE FIRST TO” – A fitting tagline for a story that demands immediate attention and action against such reckless behavior.

This is not just a legal issue but a moral one. The community and law enforcement are watching, waiting for justice.

Conclusion

The case of Rosario-Cruz highlights the ongoing battle against drunk driving, particularly in areas where wrong-way crashes are common. While his status as an undocumented immigrant adds another layer to the complexity of this tragedy, it is the act itself that must be condemned unequivocally.