According to police reports, Brandon Township resident Ramon Felix Pineda, 25, consumed numerous beers, climbed behind the wheel of his white Camaro before hitting the motorcycle and killing off-duty Flint police officer Vincent D’Anna, 26, in an Independence Township drunk-driving crash on Aug. 26.
Pineda, who was driving on a suspended Michigan license, is also an illegal alien, having entered into the United States approximately 12 years ago from Mexico. He is charged with second-degree murder in the death of D’Anna. Chief Judge Wendy Potts will preside over the case in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, to start March 31.
State officials say illegal aliens like Pineda often flocked to Michigan which, along with seven other states including Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington, carried a policy of giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
Now that’s changed.
On Jan. 22, Michigan officially reversed the policy for new driver’s licenses, requiring proof of residency. The change limits licenses to legal, but non-permanent immigrants, as well, said Kelly Chesney, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of State.
‘The new policy will substantiate the identity of an individual,? said Chesney. ‘Many illegal aliens came to Michigan to get a driver’s license since we do not have a legal presence requirement.?
Chesney added that changes were in response to an opinion by Attorney General Mike Cox, that recognized the inconsistencies of issuing driver’s licenses to those breaking federal law. Currently the new changes affect only new applicants but changes for renewals will also be announced soon, she said.