A tragic drunk driving incident in suburban Atlanta has claimed the life of 37-year-old Jimmy Chang, a prominent realtor and community leader. Authorities report that the driver responsible for the crash, 20-year-old Christian Fernando Irias-Ruiz, is an illegal alien from Honduras who had previously been released into the United States by the Biden administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Irias-Ruiz faces multiple charges, including first-degree vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and possession of alcohol by a minor.
The crash occurred just days before Christmas when Irias-Ruiz allegedly ran a red light while intoxicated, t-boning Chang’s vehicle and involving a third car in the collision. Chang succumbed to his injuries, while other passengers sustained injuries but are expected to recover.
“It’s devastating for all the family right now; we still can’t process that he’s gone,” said Jason Chang, the victim’s brother, in an interview with WSB-TV 2 Atlanta. “He impacted a lot of lives.”
Chang was a highly respected figure in the local community, serving as president of the Atlanta chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America. His family has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to support funeral expenses and honor his memory.
Fox News Digital reported that Irias-Ruiz had initially been apprehended by border authorities in June 2021 but was later released into the U.S. under the Biden administration’s controversial Catch and Release policy. Critics of the administration’s immigration policies have pointed to the incident as a failure to ensure public safety.
Chang’s death has left the Atlanta community mourning the loss of a beloved leader, with many calling for justice and accountability in the wake of the tragedy.