Federal immigration officials say the driver charged in last week’s fatal hit-and-run on Frederica Street is an illegal immigrant from Guatemala. Local authorities confirmed Monday that a second pedestrian has died from the incident.
According to the Owensboro Police Department, accident reconstruction investigators were notified on February 24 by the Daviess County Coroner’s Office that 53-year-old Jerry Mounce died as a result of injuries sustained in the February 18 collision. Investigators said they will seek to amend an existing first-degree assault charge to murder.
The crash occurred near the intersection of Frederica Street and Fulton Drive, where two pedestrians were struck, OPD said previously. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene and was later identified as 39-year-old Amanda Foster. Mounce was transported to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries, authorities said.
OPD initially announced the arrest of 21-year-old Anderson Xol the night of the accident. Authorities reported that he drove away from the scene but returned a short time later. An arrest citation shows that officers documented signs of intoxication, and a breath test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of .118. The driver was arrested and remains lodged in the Daviess County Detention Center.
In an emailed statement to the Owensboro Times on February 24, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis confirmed the full identity of the driver and said the agency lodged a detainer against him.
“On February 19, ICE lodged an arrest detainer requesting local authorities notify ICE before they release Anderson Stewart Xol-Ho, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala,” Bis said. “He was arrested on February 18 for murder, felony assault, hit and run, DUI, and driving without a license. Xol-Ho is currently in the custody of Daviess County Detention Center.”
The statement continues, “We need local authorities to cooperate with us and not release criminals from their jails onto our streets. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
Court records show Xol’s bail was initially set at $500,000 cash but was increased to $1,000,000 cash during his arraignment on February 20. He is scheduled to appear in court again on February 27.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
