A Honduras native who had been illegally residing in the U.S. has been charged in the fatal accident that killed an Arkansas woman early September.
30-year-old Maynor Yair Sorto-Herrera was apprehended by the Arkansas State Police (ASP) on September 9th for the crash that occurred the prior morning.
ASP officials state that Sorto-Herrera was driving a 2008 Ford F150 on the morning of September 8th when he crossed the centerline and struck a 2016 Honda CRV, killing 48-year-old Jennifer Ann Morton of Little Rock.
ASP were able to locate Sorto-Herrera on foot, where he was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries and then transferred to the Pulaski County Dentention Center.
Sorto-Herrera has been charged with negligent homicide, battery, driving under the influence, violation of the concealed weapons act, reckless driving, driving without a license, failure to stop after an accident resulting in death and traffic violations.
This wasn’t Sorto-Herrera’s first run-in with United States law enforcement. In October 2018, he was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol near Laredo, Texas and deported back to Honduras on November 5th, 2018. Authorities are unsure as to when Sorto-Herrera returned to the United States.
According a news release by ASP, Jennifer Morton worked as a respiratory therapist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in the Infant Toddler Unit.
ASP Col. Mike Hagar said in the statement, “Our hearts are heavy for the Morton family as they are devastated by the loss of Jennifer, who devoted her life to compassionate care of children. I know our Troopers want to honor her memory by doing their part to make sure this man is held responsible for her death.”
Sorto-Herrera is being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI