Haunting faces of teens who'd still be alive if it wasn't 'for female migrant who crossed border illegally'
Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila, a 30-year-old illegal immigrant from Honduras, was arrested after she allegedly drove on the wrong side of a Wisconsin highway and killed the young couple on July 20.
Hallie Helgeson, 18, died at the scene, and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Brady Heiling succumbed to his injuries a few days later, reported the West Central Tribune.
On Sunday, DHS announced they lodged an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer against Martinez-Avila for her arrest and removal from the country.
'Hallie Helgeson and Brady Heiling had their whole lives ahead of them—and they would still be alive today if it weren't for Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila—a criminal illegal alien from Honduras,' said Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
'Martinez-Avila recklessly drove the wrong way on a highway while intoxicated and killed these two teens.'
Martinez-Avila has been charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, homicide by the use of a vehicle, operating a vehicle while intoxicated and causing injury, knowingly operating a vehicle with a revoked license while causing death, knowingly operating a vehicle with a revoked license while causing bodily harm and failing to install an ignition interlock device and violating a court order.
According to the court documents, when police arrived on scene they discovered the teens' damaged Volkswagen SUV and Martinez-Avila's Chevy SUV engulfed in flames, reported The Minnesota Star Tribune.
The illegal migrant denied she had been drinking, but police reported seeing unopen cans of beer in her car and said she smelled of alcohol.
A preliminary breath test measured her blood alcohol content at .208 percent, over two and half times the legal limit in Wisconsin.
Court records shoe Martinez-Avila has a November 2020 conviction for drunk driving, and was supposed to have a device installed in her car that prevents it from starting if the driver has been drinking.
However, she did not have that device installed when the crash occurred, according to the Wisconsin State Journal of Madison.
After DHS announced their ICE detainer for Martinez-Avila, they accused Dane County officials of having a history of not honoring immigration detainers due to sanctuary polices.
'ICE has lodged an arrest detainer to remove this public safety threat from the U.S.,' McLaughlin said.
'Unfortunately, this sanctuary jurisdiction has a history of not honoring ICE arrest detainers often leading to the release of murderers and other heinous criminals Under Secretary Noem, these precious victims will not be forgotten, and we will fight for justice.'
As of Monday, Martinez-Avila is being held in the Dane County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail for each count. Her next court appearance is scheduled for August 28.
The Dane County Sheriff's Office told DailyMail.com they are aware of the ICE detainer and said it is DHS's responsibility to obtain and present an arrest warrant signed by a judge so they can lawfully take custody of someone.
'Supporting crime victims remains one of our highest priorities. They deserve their opportunity for justice, and if an individual is found guilty, they should be held accountable through our court system,' said Sheriff Kalvin Barrett.
'Deporting someone before they face trial allows them to evade that accountability—it's essentially a "get out of jail free" card.'
As of Monday, Martinez-Avila is being held in the Dane County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail for each count. Her next court appearance is scheduled for August 28.
Helgeson graduated from Montevideo High School in May and had recently started working at an assisted living facility, according to her obituary.
'A dedicated and spirited student, she was involved in numerous activities and excelled both academically and athletically. She was a proud three-sport athlete, participating in tennis, basketball, and softball,' her obituary said.
'Hallie will be deeply missed by all who knew her, remembered for her warmth, kindness, big smile, and the light she brought into every space she entered.'
Heiling had been airlifted to the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison, where he went through multiple surgeries before he passed away.
'We are weak, weary and heart broken and need to rest,' his mother, Jen Heiling, said on the family's CaringBridge site.
He graduated from MACCRAY High School in 2024 and had been a three-sport athlete.
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