The senator is shining a spotlight on the dangers of states offering drive-only licenses to immigrants who enter the United States illegally. 

Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) is condemning “drive-only” licenses issued by states for illegal immigrants following the recent death of Ohioan Austin J. Karr Grimes.

The 29-year-old from Fayette was killed in an incident involving an illegal immigrant who was driving using a “drive-only” license issued by Connecticut. 

According to reports, Washington G. Naula Ochoa, 34, has been charged with vehicular homicide following the incident. He “failed to yield at a stop sign” and his “truck entered the intersection and struck a southbound SUV driven by” Karr Grimes. 

Karr Grimes then “lost control of the SUV, which went off the west side of the road and overturned. Karr Grimes died at the scene, troopers said.”

The tragedy sparked instant outrage from Senator Moreno, who sent a letter to Governor Ned Lamont (D-Conn.). 

“My office has learned that an illegal alien granted a drivers license by the state of Connecticut killed a 29 year old Ohioan in a reckless driving accident. While one death alone is an inexcusable tragedy, Connecticut has granted over 60,000 such licenses to illegal aliens,” Moreno wrote in his scathing letter. “If it were not for policy you championed, which allows illegal aliens to receive a ‘drive-only’ license, this young man may have reached his destination.”

The letter continued, slamming Connecticut’s governor for providing “drive-only” licenses to illegal immigrants who have killed Americans. 

“Despite [Naula Ochoa’s] lack of legal status, Connecticut issued him a driver’s license. Horrifyingly, Connecticut not only permits illegal aliens to receive a driver’s license, but encourages it, all while Americans pay the ultimate price. Quite simply, your policies are killing my constituents.”

Moreno criticized Lamont’s advocacy for removing the “drive-only” label on the licenses, which is a major safety concern and an election security concern.

“Just two years ago, you advocated for the removal of the ‘drive-only’ marking on these licenses to help make illegal aliens’ licenses nearly indistinguishable from those of United States citizens. Republicans in Connecticut rightfully raised significant concerns that this proposal coils result in illegal aliens casting a ballot,” the letter said. 

In response to the incident, Lamont issued a statement in defense of the ‘drive-only’ licenses, despite the harm that illegal immigrants have done behind the wheel in the United States. 

“States including Connecticut offer drive-only licenses to undocumented residents to help ensure all drivers are trained, tested, and know the rules of the road. This reduces hit-and-run accidents and brings more drivers into the insurance system who might otherwise be driving uninsured. Undocumented residents in many states already need to drive for work, school and daily life; it’s safer for everyone when that driving happens within a regulated system,” the governor said. 

The Department of Homeland Security also issued a statement on the incident, saying that Naula Ochoa is from Ecuador and “illegally entered the United States at an unknown data and time.”

Senator Moreno requested an apology from the governor to the victim’s family and answers to a series of questions about the “drive-only” licenses within five days.