UPDATE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila, a 30-year-old Honduran national, after she allegedly killed two high school sweethearts in a drunk driving crash on July 20, 2023, near Madison, Wisconsin. The arrest comes after local law enforcement in a sanctuary county gave ICE less than an hour’s notice before allowing her to post bond and walk free.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Martinez-Avila was driving her SUV in the wrong direction when she struck the vehicle carrying 18-year-old Hallie Helgeson and 19-year-old Brady Heiling. Helgeson died at the scene, and Heiling succumbed to his injuries just five days later after undergoing multiple surgeries.
ICE agents apprehended Martinez-Avila outside the Dane County jail on August 13, 2023, as she exited after posting a $250,000 bond. Despite ICE’s request for a detainer on July 22, the sheriff denied it, claiming that deportation would allow her to evade justice, according to reports from Wisconsin Public Radio.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the local police for their actions. “Despite this sanctuary jurisdiction giving ICE less than an hour notice to make the arrest, ICE arrested Martinez-Avila and ensured this public safety threat is not released on U.S. streets,” said McLaughlin. She vowed that “these precious teens will not be forgotten, and we will fight for justice.”
Martinez-Avila has a history of drunk driving, having been convicted in November 2020. She was also charged with several traffic violations, including driving without a license. Authorities had mandated that she install an ignition interlock device in her vehicle, which prevents the car from starting if alcohol is detected. However, this device was not in place during the fatal incident.
Witnesses and police reports indicate that Martinez-Avila’s vehicle was filled with multiple open beer cans, and she exhibited signs of intoxication, including glassy eyes. A breathalyzer test revealed her blood alcohol concentration was more than twice the legal limit.
The emotional toll on the victims’ families has been devastating. Jen Heiling, Brady’s mother, expressed her heartbreak online following her son’s death, saying, “We are weak, weary and heartbroken and need to rest.”
Martinez-Avila now faces serious charges, including two counts of felony vehicular homicide and impaired driving. Her case highlights ongoing debates surrounding immigration policy and public safety, particularly in sanctuary jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
As this story develops, the community is left grappling with the tragic loss of two young lives and the implications of local law enforcement’s decisions. The next steps will involve legal proceedings against Martinez-Avila, as well as continued discussions about the responsibilities of sanctuary cities in cases involving serious crimes.