Outrage in Columbia as Undocumented Immigrant Rosali Fernandez-Cruz Sentenced to One Year for Fatal Hit-and-Run That Killed 21-Year-Old Nathaniel Baker

COLUMBIA, SC — A heartbreaking tragedy and heated debate over accountability, immigration policy, and justice has gripped South Carolina after it was revealed that Rosali “Rosali I.” Fernandez-Cruz, a man in the country illegally and previously ordered to be deported, has been charged in a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of 21-year-old Nathaniel “Nate” Baker.

The Crash That Took a Life

On April 2, 2025, shortly after 2:00 p.m., Columbia police responded to a collision at the intersection of Assembly Street and Blossom Street, near the University of South Carolina campus. Authorities say Baker was riding his motorcycle westbound on Blossom Street when a pickup truck driven by Fernandez-Cruz attempted to turn left and failed to yield the right-of-way.

The impact was violent. Baker was fatally injured and later pronounced dead at a hospital.

What transformed this crash from a tragic collision into a criminal case were the actions that followed: Fernandez-Cruz allegedly fled the scene, made no attempt to render aid, and did not report the incident to authorities.

Columbia police later apprehended Fernandez-Cruz nearby, at the 1100 block of Greene Street, after he abandoned his vehicle.

Charges, Immigration Status & Legal Moves

Fernandez-Cruz, 24, faces multiple charges:

• Hit-and-run resulting in death

• Failure to render aid / give information

• Failure to yield the right-of-way

• Driving without a license

Investigators discovered that Fernandez-Cruz is an undocumented immigrant, originally from El Salvador, and that he has been under a removal order since 2018.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has taken over the case, promising to coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to prevent any potential evasion of legal consequences.

A detainer has been lodged by ICE on Fernandez-Cruz, intending that once the criminal case concludes, he be deported back to El Salvador.

The Victim: Nathaniel “Nate” Baker

Nathaniel Baker was a 21-year-old University of South Carolina student from Virginia. He was majoring in business and was active in campus life and fraternity activities.

His loss has deeply affected the USC community, his friends, and family. Memorials, tractor-of-flowers, candles, fraternity tributes, and messages have appeared near the crash intersection.

Public Reaction & Political Fallout

The case has ignited fierce debate across South Carolina and beyond:

• Political figures have seized on Baker’s death to raise concerns about immigration enforcement and to argue for stricter border policies.

• Some local voices caution against conflating immigration status with criminal guilt, urging due process and sensitivity given the gravity of losing a young life.

• The University of South Carolina released statements expressing deep sorrow, offering counseling to students, and assuring cooperation with law enforcement.

Questions & Next Steps

Many details remain under investigation:

• What was Fernandez-Cruz’s exact motive or state of mind when making that turn?

• Were there contributing factors — such as speeding or traffic violations — that exacerbated the collision?

• Why did he flee the scene instead of rendering aid?

• How will the courts balance criminal justice, victim’s rights, and immigration law in resolving this case?

As the trial and proceedings unfold, the community waits for justice for Nate Baker and accountability for those responsible. Until then, his memory remains a somber reminder of how a single negligent act can lead to irreversible heartbreak.