Illegal immigrant charged after high-speed chase kills pregnant teen, her unborn child in Ohio

Federal immigration authorities have filed a detainer against a man accused in a deadly Ohio crash that left a pregnant teenager and her unborn child dead, officials said Saturday. The case is drawing attention fast, and it’s still unfolding.

Tarsem Singh, an Indian national, has been indicted on charges including vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless homicide, according to the US Department of Homeland Security. He is being held on a $1 million bond, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an arrest detainer with local authorities

The incident began Febuary 16 in Darke County when a sheriff’s deputy spotted an SUV traveling about 25 mph over the speed limit. Authorities said the deputy attempted to catch up and paced the vehicle at roughly 100 mph. When emergency lights were activated, the driver accelerated instead of stopping.

Officials said the pursuit lasted less than three minutes and covered about five miles, with speeds reaching approximately 124 mph. The SUV ultimately crashed into an eastbound vehicle on a curve.

Deputies responding to the scene found 17-year-old Ashlee Holmes, who was pregnant and a passenger in the SUV, dead after being ejected from the vehicle, according to local reports. Her unborn child also did not survive.

Singh was transported by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital following the crash. The driver of the other vehicle was reported conscious and alert with injuries and was taken to Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. reports WDTN.

Authorities have not said why Holmes was in the vehicle. DHS said Singh entered the United States illegally in February 2017 through the southern border in California. He was previously arrested and later released on bond by a judge.

"This is yet another tragic reminder of why illegal aliens should not be driving cars on America’s roads," DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. "A 17-year-old woman and her unborn child are now dead as a result of this illegal alien’s reckless actions."