A 12-year-old Missouri boy on life support has died nearly three months after an illegal immigrant driving the wrong way collided with his family’s car.
Travis Wolfe of St. Charles passed away on March 6, according to an online obituary.
The head-on crash happened the day before his 12th birthday on Dec. 20, 2023, and left him with a brain injury. The child was immediately placed on life support.
Both of his parents survived the crash. His father, Timothy Wolfe, suffered broken ribs and wrists. His mother, Stephanie Wolfe, suffered a broken sternum and ankle.
The driver of the other vehicle was identified in police documents as Endrina Bracho. According to an eyewitness, Ms. Bracho was driving westbound on Dunn Road in Hazelwood when she crossed into the eastbound lane and struck the family’s Jeep head-on. The police report revealed she was speeding at more than 70 miles per hour on a 40-mile posted road.
The deadly crash has reignited the national debate on illegal immigration and securing the southern border. According to a recent Gallup poll, significantly more Americans name immigration as the most important problem facing the United States, with 28 percent of respondents saying immigration is the country’s biggest issue, compared to 20 percent a month ago.
“A 12-year old Missouri child has been killed by the reckless actions of an illegal who should have never been here,” Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehod posted on X.
“This is what an open border does,” Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley wrote.
“Another family is missing a loved one because of Biden’s border policies, “ Alabama Rep. Barry Moore posted on X. “Americans deserve better,” he added.
During his State of the Union address earlier this month, President Biden called on GOP lawmakers to act on a bipartisan immigration compromise and accused them of stalling the proposal for political reasons.
“Send me the border bill now!” Mr. Biden said in his annual address.
House lawmakers recently advanced a GOP-led federal immigration bill named after Laken Riley, a college student who was allegedly killed by an illegal immigrant while going on a run at the University of Georgia. According to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the accused killer, Jose Antonio Ibarra, entered the country illegally in 2022.
Earlier this month, a Mexican national who was in the United States illegally was arrested after allegedly crashing into 27-year-old Washington State Patrol trooper Christopher Gadd, killing him. The illegal immigrant was charged with vehicular manslaughter.
Meanwhile, a funeral for Travis Wolfe is scheduled for March 16.
“Travis had a giant, kind, and loving heart. He loved his family and friends and the time they spent together. He had an infectious laugh and smile with a wonderful sense of humor, he could always make everyone smile,” his obituary reads.
The suspect in the case has been charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and operating a vehicle on a highway without a valid license.
Her two children, who were in the vehicle at the time of the crash, are now in the custody of their father.
She is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond. A bond reduction hearing is set for April 8.