An illegal immigrant who was convicted of causing a fatal car crash that resulted in the deaths of a young California couple could potentially be released from prison this summer, sparking outrage among the victims’ family members. Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, a 43-year-old illegal Mexican immigrant, was responsible for the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 19-year-old Anya Varfolomeev and her boyfriend Nicholay Osokin in November 2021.
Ortega-Anguiano was intoxicated and driving at a speed of nearly 100 mph when he crashed into the couple’s car on the 405 freeway. He was subsequently convicted of two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in 2022 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Despite having a pending US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, Ortega-Anguiano is eligible for parole in July, having served only a fraction of his sentence.
The father of Anya Varfolomeev expressed his disgust at the possibility of Ortega-Anguiano being released back onto the streets, especially considering his previous deportations from the US. Ortega-Anguiano was deported in 2016 but managed to re-enter the country illegally in 2018 using fake documents. He was deported again four months later, only to return and be involved in the fatal crash.
Former President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, has vowed to take action to ensure that Ortega-Anguiano is deported once he is released from prison. Homan stated that he would work with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to enforce the detainer and have ICE agents ready to take custody of Ortega-Anguiano for deportation.
The tragic loss of Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin has left their families devastated, and the potential early release of the individual responsible for their deaths has reignited calls for stricter immigration policies and enforcement. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of drunk driving and the challenges faced in dealing with repeat offenders, especially those who enter the country illegally.
