During a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee’s Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, Colorado resident Patricia Fox shared the devastating impact of a traffic crash involving an illegal immigrant. Fox recounted how her daughter, Carissa Aspnes, was struck on March 28, 2025, while riding a motorcycle in Aurora. The driver, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant, ran a stop sign, crossed three lanes and fled the scene, leaving Carissa unconscious.
Family’s ongoing struggle
Carissa survived the impact but sustained severe brain injuries. She now requires constant care, is minimally conscious, non‑verbal, wheelchair‑bound and fed through a G‑tube. Fox explained that she must use a Hoyer lift each morning to move her daughter, perform all feeding, medication administration and personal hygiene herself, and coordinate care for Carissa’s 19‑year‑old sibling who will eventually assume caregiving duties.
Medical expenses have surged into the seven‑figure range, including emergency surgery, rehabilitation and monthly therapy costs of $3,000‑$4,000. Fox’s attempts to secure in‑home nursing through Colorado Medicaid were denied, as was a wheelchair essential for Carissa’s mobility. She has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the mounting bills.
Justice system response
Prosecutors reduced the case against the driver, Valeria De Los Angeles Bermudez Marcano, to a Class 5 felony and ordered $15,000 restitution only for the damaged motorcycle. No restitution was ordered for Carissa’s injuries, medical equipment or the family’s lost future. Bermudez Marcano was later deported after Fox’s family contacted ICE’s Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office.
Policy implications
Fox highlighted Colorado’s “Cover All Coloradans” program, which allocates roughly $127 million from the state General Fund to provide health coverage for people lacking lawful immigration status. She argued that while the state funds health care for undocumented residents, a citizen injured by an illegal immigrant must fight the same Medicaid system for basic nursing care.
Sanctuary policies that allow undocumented individuals to obtain driver’s licenses without proof of legal status or English proficiency are, according to Fox, a public‑safety failure. She cited similar tragedies in Arizona and other states where illegal‑immigrant drivers caused fatal crashes.
Local response
Patricia Fox’s testimony underscores a growing chorus of “Angel Families” – relatives of victims harmed by individuals who entered the country illegally. Their stories are being used to press for stricter immigration enforcement and to reevaluate state policies that grant driving privileges to those without legal status.
The hearing reflects a broader national debate over sanctuary laws, public‑safety concerns and the balance between compassion for undocumented residents and protection of American families.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
