Fletcher Harris, a 20-year-old college soccer star, and his 19-year-old girlfriend Skylar Provenza were killed in a tragic crash caused by an illegal alien in Rowan County, North Carolina — a loss that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says falls squarely at the feet of America’s broken immigration system.
The accused, Juan Alvarado Aguilar, was allegedly driving drunk when he veered into oncoming traffic, slamming into the couple’s vehicle. Both Harris and Provenza died at the scene.
Aguilar, originally from Mexico, was in the U.S. on a temporary work visa issued in 2020 that later expired — yet he remained in the country unlawfully. He now faces felony charges, including two counts of death by vehicle and driving while impaired.
In a statement, Noem said the couple’s deaths were “preventable” and blamed lax immigration enforcement for allowing Aguilar to remain in the U.S.
“Fletcher and Skylar had their whole lives ahead of them. They would still be with us today if not for Juan Alvarado-Aguilar, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, who chose to recklessly drive drunk on our roads,” Noem said.
She also confirmed that ICE has lodged a detainer with the Rowan County Jail to prevent Aguilar from being released and to ensure he is deported.
Harris was a standout student and athlete at Catawba College, studying biology and environmental studies, while Provenza was remembered as a bright, joyful spirit whose smile lit up every room. Their families say the two were soulmates.
