A non-injury crash on Oregon Street at 7th Avenue West North Monday resulted in an immigration arrest. One of the drivers called police to report the crash, even though the other driver didn’t want law enforcement contacted. Police arrived and began the standard process when a collision occurs, which requires all parties to present identification–required by State Law.
Here’s where the immigration issues began. The driver that didn’t want law enforcement didn’t speak or understand English. Another officer, who was fluent in Spanish was called-in. Turns out that individual had no credible identification and the vehicle was registered to an unknown man in another state. That registration had expired. A local records search turned-up no reliable identification. That’s when Federal authorities were contacted–as is standard protocol. The Feds requested the individual be detained.
Kalispell Police officers complied, as is KPD policy, in compliance with State Law. Federal Agents have been summoned to take over the investigation.
