'Never Forgotten': Justice Calls 9 Years Later for Honduran Illegal Immigrant Who Killed Sarah Root

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

You’ve heard the names of Jocelyn Nungaray and Laken Riley, Americans who were cruelly murdered by illegal aliens let into this country at what was a porous border until President Donald Trump came into office on January 20.

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But there was another tragedy, and it occurred nine years ago—in 2016—when a Honduran unlawfully in this country killed 21-year-old Sarah Rae-Ann Root in a drunk driving incident. The driver, Eswin Mejia, was reportedly over three times the legal limit when he barreled into her car:

Mejia, who was living in the U.S. illegally, was allegedly driving drunk when he crashed into Root’s vehicle at a stoplight in Omaha, Neb., in January 2016. She later died at a hospital. 

Mejia was detained and charged, but fled the country after being released on bond. He was later added to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) "Most Wanted" list.

At the time of his arrest, ICE said that Mejia was not an "enforcement priority."

But now he’s headed back to America to answer for his crimes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the news Friday:

The tweet continues:

Today, the Trump Administration is announcing the extradition of Sarah’s killer from Honduras to the United States to face justice once and for all. 

Thank you to the Honduran government for their cooperation and assistance.

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State Department Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce gave a press briefing where she reiterated the administration’s appreciation for the Honduran government, which reached an agreement in February with the United States to continue a century-old extradition treaty.

Here is the full statement from Rubio posted on the State Dept. website Friday:

President Trump has never forgotten or stopped fighting for justice after Sarah Root was tragically murdered in 2016 by an illegal alien who was driving under the influence and became a fugitive from justice.

Today, nine years after Sarah’s passing the night of her college graduation, her parents will know that their tireless advocacy was not in vain. Justice and accountability under the Trump Administration prevailed as the culprit of Sarah’s death has been extradited from Honduras to the United States so he can face justice once and for all. I want to express my gratitude to the Honduran government for their cooperation in this extradition.

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All we ever heard from the Biden administration was words about the border crisis and the resultant tragic human cost—and even those words were rare as Ole’ Joe couldn’t even say Laken Riley’s name correctly at his divisive March 2024 State of the Union speech. 

Under Trump and his Cabinet, we are seeing concrete action after concrete action, and although this latest news won’t bring Sarah Root back, it will hopefully finally bring justice to the man who ended her life.

Thanks to President Trump, illegal immigration into our great country has virtually stopped. Despite the radical left's lies, new legislation wasn't needed to secure our border—just a new president.

Help us continue to report the truth about the president's border policies and mass deportations. Join RedState's VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.

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