A Honduran national who is in the country illegally faces deportation after she was charged in the deaths of two Wisconsin teenagers who were struck by her vehicle as she was driving on the wrong side of the road while intoxicated.
On July 20, Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila was driving a Chevrolet Suburban the wrong way on I-90 in Dane County when the 30-year-old illegal alien collided with a Volkswagen Tiguan with 19-year-old Brady Heiling and 18-year-old Hallie Helgeson inside.
Heiling, who was driving the Volkswagen, died after undergoing multiple surgeries for injuries suffered in the crash, his mother posted on his CaringBridge site on Friday. He had been airlifted from the site of the crash to the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison. Helgeson was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a Sunday news release, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an arrest detainer for Martinez-Avila, saying that the victims “would still be alive today” if the “criminal illegal alien” hadn’t been recklessly driving while intoxicated.
Two Wisconsin teens had their whole lives ahead of them—and they would still be alive today if it weren’t for Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila—a criminal illegal alien from Honduras. Martinez-Avila recklessly drove the wrong way on a highway while intoxicated and killed these two… pic.twitter.com/216rEpeYMm
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 27, 2025
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer against a criminal illegal alien responsible for driving while intoxicated and causing a fatal car wreck that killed two American teens, an 18-year-old girl and a 19-year-old boy in Dane County, Wisconsin,” according to the statement.
“Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila has been charged with two counts of felony vehicular homicide and impaired driving by Wisconsin law enforcement. ICE lodged an arrest detainer for this illegal alien’s arrest and removal from the country,” the agency said, adding that Martinez-Avila “has been charged with two counts of felony vehicular homicide and impaired driving by Wisconsin law enforcement.”
Dane County is a “sanctuary” jurisdiction and has not traditionally honored ICE detainers.
“Hallie Helgeson and Brady Heiling had their whole lives ahead of them—and they would still be alive today if it weren’t for Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila—a criminal illegal alien from Honduras. Martinez-Avila recklessly drove the wrong way on a highway while intoxicated and killed these two teens,” Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.
“ICE has lodged an arrest detainer to remove this public safety threat from the U.S. Unfortunately, this sanctuary jurisdiction has a history of not honoring ICE arrest detainers, often leading to the release of murderers and other heinous criminals. Under Secretary Noem, these precious victims will not be forgotten, and we will fight for justice,” she added.
Martinez-Avila was previously convicted of drunken driving in 2020, the West Central Tribune reported. She was required to have a device in her vehicle that would prevent it from starting if the driver had been drinking, but according to the outlet, she did not have the device installed at the time of the crash.
- Whoopi explains why her name is in the Epstein files: ‘I wasn’t his girlfriend’ - February 18, 2026
- White Texas teen awarded $3.2 million over false accusation of racial bullying - February 18, 2026
- Schumer hustles bill to put ‘Pride’ flag on same status level as U.S., military, POW/MIA flags - February 17, 2026
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.