Darwin Felipe Bahamon Martinez, 21, a Colombian citizen who entered the U.S. illegally and was released under the administration of President Joe Biden, appeared in an Orange County court on Thursday after being accused of causing a fatal accident while fleeing from police.

According to the indictment, Martinez is accused of killing a 59-year-old father and injuring an 83-year-old woman in a pursuit that occurred on January 21, 2026, in Placentia, Orange County.

During the preliminary hearing at Orange County Superior Court, Martinez appeared fearful as he was escorted by sheriff's deputies into the barred defendant's area.

According to the California Post, the suspect repeatedly tried to hide his face behind the bars to avoid the gazes of lawyers, the judge, and court attendees. At one point, Martinez used a brown envelope to completely cover his face during the hearing, which lasted about three minutes.

When Judge Fernando Valle asked if he understood the charges, Martinez replied:

“Yes.”

Prosecutors stated that patrol officers spotted Martinez driving a dark Jeep Gladiator dangerously and nearly hitting a parked car, signaling him to pull over for an inspection.

However, Martinez allegedly accelerated and fled.

Following a pursuit lasting about three minutes, Martinez’s vehicle collided with at least two other vehicles, resulting in the death of Jose Antonio Ramos Hernandez and injuring an 83-year-old woman.

Martinez is currently held on $2 million bail after pleading not guilty to charges of:

  • vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence,

  • evading police causing death,

  • and reckless driving.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 7.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Martinez illegally entered the U.S. through the Chula Vista area near the California–Mexico border in August 2023.

ICE stated that Martinez had been detained by border patrol after crossing illegally but was later released under a policy the agency refers to as “catch-and-release” under the Biden administration.

ICE declared:

“Had that not occurred, the 59-year-old innocent man whose death he is accused of causing today might still be alive.”

The agency also noted that it had issued an immigration detainer for Martinez on January 22.

However, California’s “sanctuary state” laws do not require local authorities to hand over prosecuted illegal immigrants to federal agencies.

ICE warned:

“If California officials release Bahamon Martinez back into the community, they will put ALL Californians in danger.”