A migrant faces serious charges after allegedly causing a deadly hit-and-run crash in Gwinnett County, Georgia, that killed a mother and injured her teenage daughter. Anibal Orlando de Leon, a 33-year-old migrant now facing deportation, has been arrested by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.
Orlando de Leon is charged with felony hit-and-run, driving without a license, and using a fake license plate. Authorities say he was driving a Toyota Echo on April 21 when he caused a multi-vehicle crash that killed Tamera Brown and left her teenage daughter injured. Deputies reported that Orlando de Leon fled the scene immediately after the collision.
Brown’s friend, Tracey Wiley, described the tragic aftermath. “By the time I got there, she was already dead, and her daughter was lying over there, but she lived,” Wiley told WSB-TV 2 Atlanta. She remembered Brown as a “nice person, always laughing, talking, always having fun,” highlighting the devastating loss to the community.
After his arrest, Orlando de Leon allegedly confessed to authorities that he had switched the license plate on his car to avoid detection. Deputies believe the act was an attempt to evade responsibility for the fatal crash.
Orlando de Leon remains in custody at the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on him, signaling their intent to take him into federal custody for deportation proceedings.
The incident underscores growing concerns about public safety and immigration enforcement, especially as migrants involved in serious crimes continue to strain local law enforcement resources. Gwinnett County officials are coordinating with ICE to ensure Orlando de Leon is held accountable under both state and federal law.
Court records show that Orlando de Leon had no valid driver’s license at the time of the crash, raising further questions about how he was able to operate a vehicle without detection. Officials noted that driving without proper documentation remains a major public safety concern, especially when migrants who violate traffic laws repeatedly avoid consequences until tragedy strikes.
