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Immigration hold placed on driver in injury crash
Victim lost both legs from crash; husband founded Napa's Minuteman chapter
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Federal immigration officials have asked that Napa authorities hold without bail the man charged with felony DUI and hit and run in an east Napa accident that resulted in the amputation of a woman’s legs above the knee.
Francisco Pacheco, 24, is in Napa County jail on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold. ICE seeks holds on criminal suspects who the agency believes may be in the United States illegally. Such holds may result in deportation.
Francisco Pacheco, 24, is in Napa County jail on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold. ICE seeks holds on criminal suspects who the agency believes may be in the United States illegally. Such holds may result in deportation.
On Feb., 3, Pacheco, who was intoxicated, was driving his 1990 Plymouth on South Terrace Drive when he plowed into the back of Lilian Clark’s vehicle, which was doubled-parked.
Clark, 38, had just finished securing her two sons, 4 and 6, in their car seats and was walking around the back of her car to get to the driver’s door. Pacheco hit the rear bumper of Clark’s car, pinning her legs between her bumper and his front bumper.
Clark, 38, had just finished securing her two sons, 4 and 6, in their car seats and was walking around the back of her car to get to the driver’s door. Pacheco hit the rear bumper of Clark’s car, pinning her legs between her bumper and his front bumper.
Pacheco, who is on probation for a 2007 DUI conviction, fled. He was chased by Clark’s neighbors, who found him about a block away and held him until police arrived.
In addition to the current charges and the 2007 DUI conviction, Pacheco was picked up last July for misdemeanor DUI. That case is pending, according to Napa County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold.
In addition to the current charges and the 2007 DUI conviction, Pacheco was picked up last July for misdemeanor DUI. That case is pending, according to Napa County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold.
Pacheco had no insurance and does not have a valid driver’s license.
If found guilty of the charges from Sunday’s incident, Pacheco is looking at a maximum of six years in state prison, Goold said.
John Clark, the husband of the victim, has been active in the movement to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States.
In 2006, Clark started a Napa-based chapter of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, a group that has observed border patrols and advocated more strict enforcement of immigration laws. He said his inspiration to form the group stemmed from the three-year effort he went through to legally bring Lilian, then his fiancé, to the United States from her native Chile.
“I am passionate about people coming to this country legally. I certainly learned that with the battles I fought to bring Lili here,” he said.
Clark said his wife is improving each day.
“I took the kids to see her. They know that something terrible happened to their mom because they were in the car when she was hit. When we went to the hospital, she showed them she didn’t have any legs. My son asked her, ‘Why did the bad guy take your legs?’” But Lili is such a remarkable person. She is so strong. She is more worried about the kids than herself.”
Dan Johnson, the Napa County Department of Corrections acting director, said when an inmate is placed on Immigration and Custom Enforcement hold, he is interviewed by ICE to determine if he is in the country illegally. If ICE, which is under Homeland Security, determines the inmate is here illegally or violated his or her visa, a deportation hearing is held.
“If it is ruled the person is to be deported, the individual is sent to a penal institution in Arizona to await for transport to their native country,” Johnson said.
Johnson said if the person is in custody at the jail and a criminal complaint has been filed, the deportation issue is dealt with after the criminal case is adjudicated.
If found guilty of the charges from Sunday’s incident, Pacheco is looking at a maximum of six years in state prison, Goold said.
John Clark, the husband of the victim, has been active in the movement to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States.
In 2006, Clark started a Napa-based chapter of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, a group that has observed border patrols and advocated more strict enforcement of immigration laws. He said his inspiration to form the group stemmed from the three-year effort he went through to legally bring Lilian, then his fiancé, to the United States from her native Chile.
“I am passionate about people coming to this country legally. I certainly learned that with the battles I fought to bring Lili here,” he said.
Clark said his wife is improving each day.
“I took the kids to see her. They know that something terrible happened to their mom because they were in the car when she was hit. When we went to the hospital, she showed them she didn’t have any legs. My son asked her, ‘Why did the bad guy take your legs?’” But Lili is such a remarkable person. She is so strong. She is more worried about the kids than herself.”
Dan Johnson, the Napa County Department of Corrections acting director, said when an inmate is placed on Immigration and Custom Enforcement hold, he is interviewed by ICE to determine if he is in the country illegally. If ICE, which is under Homeland Security, determines the inmate is here illegally or violated his or her visa, a deportation hearing is held.
“If it is ruled the person is to be deported, the individual is sent to a penal institution in Arizona to await for transport to their native country,” Johnson said.
Johnson said if the person is in custody at the jail and a criminal complaint has been filed, the deportation issue is dealt with after the criminal case is adjudicated.
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kevin wrote on Feb 8, 2008 6:06 PM:
activeair wrote on Feb 8, 2008 6:43 PM:
You want compassion for those illegally in our country that have not committed crimes, argue all you want. But the gang members, drug dealers and other criminal element should not be allowed in this country.
If it were the other way around and a MINUTEMAN supporter were the drunking driver, the victim an illegal immigrant, the ACLU, La Raza, you name it would scream from the mountaintops, and declare this a "hate" crime by a vigilante Minuteman.
I wonder if any member of the ACLU or La Raza or so call advocates, who call editorials such as this to be racist and xenophobic talk, would be feeling so righteous if it one of their relatives were innocent victim.
On probation for a prior DUI and still allowed to be in this country? Amazing. Prayers to Mrs. Clark and her family.
"
notpc wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:14 PM:
fred5678 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:24 PM:
When will we ever learn? Not soon enough:
Note that another illegal alien almost cut off the legs of a woman on Tuesday in a San Rafael parking garage. Miguel Paz-Calderon, 19, of San Rafael, is in jail for hit-and-run, no license, no insurance and is on an immigration hold.
"
Dwayne wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:33 PM:
cpslowine wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:37 PM:
someguyinnapa wrote on Feb 8, 2008 7:50 PM:
My heart goes out to the Clarks and their 2 sons. "
vonhelga wrote on Feb 8, 2008 8:39 PM:
skippert wrote on Feb 9, 2008 7:16 AM:
common sense wrote on Feb 9, 2008 7:31 AM:
kbf wrote on Feb 9, 2008 7:38 AM:
Rocco wrote on Feb 9, 2008 8:22 AM:
"
hudds5 wrote on Feb 9, 2008 10:05 AM:
Dwayne wrote on Feb 9, 2008 10:57 AM:
Paul wrote on Feb 9, 2008 11:07 AM:
Robinhvidston wrote on Feb 9, 2008 11:24 AM:
justnana wrote on Feb 9, 2008 12:24 PM:
What is it and why is it allowed to conotinue??? I am tired of seeing hispanic surnames in the overwhelming majority of reported crime in our town. This is not a racist comment, as my maiden name was also hispanic. I have a hard time believing that all of this crime is being done by legal immigrants.
I am joining the Minuteman and encouraging all of my friends to do likewise. "
Napan since 1965 wrote on Feb 9, 2008 12:45 PM:
There is a provision in Section 287(g) of the "Immigration and Nationality Act" which provides for local law enforcement to "partner" with ICE to see that any law-breaker who is in this country illegally will be placed on an "immigration hold" by local authorities. Today’s article notes that Francisco Pacheco is now under such a "hold."
CONSIDER THIS: If he had been dealt with, following one of his prior arrest(s), Mrs. Clark would not have lost her legs!!!
I strongly believe that local authorities should take the necessary steps to "partner" under the provisions of Section 287(g) without further delay!
Oh, wait a minute! There's one thing that could keep that from happening! If the City of Napa is a "Sanctuary City," local law enforcement will not be allowed to take that action!!!
Is anyone out there aware of whether or not Napa IS a "Sanctuary City"???
If they ARE, let's "hold their feet to the fire" until that changes--the lives and/or well-being of our fellow citizens depend on it!!!
"
Two Cents wrote on Feb 9, 2008 1:03 PM:
And when we deport him back to his native country... he'll just be back in less than a year. Probably with a new SS# and name.
Kevin.. you hit it right on, if this issues had been dealt with the first time he had a DUI, this poor lady would still have her legs.
Everyone has been saying on the blogs "oh lets not make this a immigration or racial issue". WAKE UP PEOPLE! Look at what's happening to this state and quit making excuses for the people who are destroying it. "
sammy wrote on Feb 9, 2008 1:53 PM:
This is so unacceptable, I cannot believe it.
"
jc wrote on Feb 9, 2008 2:21 PM:
jc wrote on Feb 9, 2008 2:40 PM:
John Clark
kevin i could not have said it better myself "
1napanow wrote on Feb 9, 2008 3:46 PM:
Napa would dry up and blow away without the illegal work force it currently employs. Is it right? No, absolutely not, but the anti-illegal groups are opposed to a reasonable solution to this problem by establishing a temporary worker program. Even "flaming liberals" like GW and McCain favor this. With legal status it would be easier to enforce insurance laws and licensed alien workers would not be compelled to flee accident scenes to avoid being deported.
My heart goes out to this poor woman and her family, but the real problem is a culture that celbrates irresponsible drinking. How many beer commercials did we watch during the Super Bowl? How many "good ol'boys born in Napa managed to drive home safely after their celebrations only by the grace of God? How many DUI convictions are published in the Register each week?
How about if we spend more time talking about the problems of alcohol abuse instead of picking on some hapless irresponsible drunk that just happens to be in this country without a visa?
Napa, "he who is without sin, cast the first stone". "
russ wrote on Feb 9, 2008 4:21 PM:
two cents wrote on Feb 9, 2008 5:01 PM:
And we'll see if the register even prints my post.
Im wondering how yours got through making generalizations about cultures, while referencing the Superbowl, obviously geared toward Caucasions.
NVR.. funny that you limit broad statements like that when their geared toward Hispanics. "
two cents wrote on Feb 9, 2008 5:03 PM:
seg38 wrote on Feb 9, 2008 5:39 PM:
Chaise wrote on Feb 9, 2008 7:55 PM:
Dear Napa community - Please keep the good blessings coming to this wonderful family. They are truly special people if you don't already know them.
-The Farmington, NM community "
Tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Feb 9, 2008 9:44 PM:
sammy wrote on Feb 9, 2008 10:01 PM:
I will be writing a letter to the DA "
skippert wrote on Feb 9, 2008 11:48 PM:
flatbedbill wrote on Feb 10, 2008 3:05 AM:
a City Parking Garage by an illegal foreign national. I can no longer sit back and merely complain about San Rafael looking more and more like Tijuana every day. These illegals have their mouthpiece organizations, and we need ours, too. My Bret Harte neighborhood looks like a
Barrio. Its past time I get actively involved in stopping this insanity. Thanks for a great post. "
Larry Clark wrote on Feb 10, 2008 4:45 PM:
You're in our thoughts and prayers each day and we pray that Lily regains her strength. We know you're strong and doing much better Lily. We miss & love you very much. Your support is here from NM and we'll be there when the time is right.
Love, Dad & Joni "
jeffersonian wrote on Feb 11, 2008 7:50 AM:
Your empathy is touching.
However, "Flaming Liberals" like W & McCain are catering to the criminals who profit from employing the Illegal Aliens like this drunk. Don't think they represent mainstream American feeling about border security and enforcement.
If the will of the American people were followed Illegals would be deported and the border sealed, and the Clark family would not be suffering this tragady. "
StrikingBack wrote on Feb 11, 2008 9:39 AM:
One recent incident I saw in the Illegal Alien Activity Tracking System was of an illegal apprehended attempting to re-enter the US. His arrest record included 23 prior offenses including several sexual offense against a minor and he had just been deported after serving some laughable jail sentence on Dec 27 of 2007.
So, less than 1 1/2 months later he was attempting to get back in to the US to wreak more criminal havoc and wreck more legal, US citizens lives.
I then saw Lillian's story yesterday when I was alerted to it via email. It made me physically ill and I wept for her, her two children, her husband, and her family whose lives have been forever changed.
I also wanted to share this information and it may vary by State so double check and that is since he had a prior record of drunk driving and was on probation you can sue the government - local or state perhaps -for allowing him to continue to be a danger to others while he was here illegally the whole time to begin with.
In MD speeding tickets, seat belt violations and "small" stuff aren't enough of a record to file suit however, having a record of DUI's and being on probation should be more than enough for someone to pay and I mean someone besides the victim and her family because they have paid far too much already and will do so every day for the rest of their lives.
"
Reality Check wrote on Feb 11, 2008 4:55 PM:
Ruff Limblog wrote on Feb 12, 2008 6:54 AM:
kevin wrote on Feb 12, 2008 11:52 AM:
Paisano wrote on Feb 12, 2008 4:54 PM:
Paisano wrote on Feb 12, 2008 4:58 PM:
Concerned Citizen wrote on Feb 13, 2008 8:29 AM:
Concerned Citizen wrote on Feb 13, 2008 8:39 AM:
Paisano wrote on Feb 13, 2008 9:51 AM:
cathyodom wrote on Feb 13, 2008 1:54 PM:
Paisano wrote on Feb 13, 2008 2:58 PM:
Concerned Citizen wrote on Feb 13, 2008 3:08 PM:
Paisano wrote on Feb 13, 2008 4:04 PM:
Napan since 1965 wrote on Feb 16, 2008 3:26 PM:
For those of you who are (or are willing to become?) blood donors, we have been successful in scheduling a 3-day "Special Blood Drive for Lilian Clark"! It will be held at the Napa Blood Center, 3230 Beard Road, from 12:30 to 6:30 PM on Tues., March 11, Weds., March 12, and Thurs., March 13.
The success of this drive will assure that if Lilian should need additional blood units for further surgeries at Kaiser-Vallejo, “blood credits” will be available to her that will cancel out any charges for blood that is used!
The additional "plus" to this drive is that the actual blood which is donated will immediately become available for others who are in dire need of emergency transfusions. As we all know, blood banks nationwide have trouble keeping adequate supplies of blood on hand, and it becomes especially critical during the flu season!
So, if you are willing and able to donate, please call for an appointment at 1-888-393-4483 (toll-free)!!! It will tell Lilian Clark that we care about her, and will also increase the blood supply available to others in need.
"
Laupad27 wrote on Jul 30, 2008 2:25 PM: