Police Learn New Info About Man Charged With Drunken Driving

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said a man charged with drunken driving, and hitting and killing 18-year-old Min Soon Chang, actually goes by at least two other names and has been arrested for drunken driving at least three other times.

State troopers discovered the man, Jorge Hernandez, is an illegal immigrant who has been arrested for DWI in three other states.

Troopers said Hernandez, who also used aliases Jorge Soto and Jorge Martinez, was driving the wrong way on Interstate 485 when he crashed into Chang.

"There's no way to explain the frustration level everyone has," said U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick.

Myrick has been working to strengthen immigration laws since last summer when a Mount Holly teacher, Scott Gardner, was killed in a crash involving an illegal immigrant with several prior DWIs.

Myrick introduced legislation that would require police to enter arrests made for DWIs into both a customs database and FBI database.

"So when somebody has a DWI in one state and they get another DWI in another state, that state will know it. Right now there is no way to know," Myrick said.

Part of Myrick's bill would also call for automatic deportation of any illegal immigrants convicted of drinking and driving.

Police said Hernandez was deported to Mexico twice before.

"It doesn't matter what your nationality is, what country you're from, we're talking about this immigration issue is aimed at everyone," Myrick said.

Angeles Ortega-Moore, who heads up the Latin American Coalition, agrees with Myrick but also thinks DWIs should be felonies, not misdemeanors.

"I think the bigger issue, more than documentation, is the issue of drinking and driving," said Ortega-Moore.

The coalition works to educate clients about federal, state and local laws. Ortega-Moore said her toughest job is spreading a positive message to the rest of the community.

"There are a lot of individuals out there who are working and making a decent living, and following the law and being real good citizens," she said.