Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, has called on Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, D-Conn., to end the state’s policy of issuing 'drive-only' licenses to people in the country illegally, following a fatal crash that killed an Ohio resident. Moreno’s letter, sent Tuesday, cited the death of 29-year-old Austin J. Karr Grimes of Fayette, Ohio, who died at the scene of a collision in Fulton County involving a driver with a Connecticut-issued 'drive-only' license.
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The debate centers on whether allowing unauthorized immigrants to obtain limited driving privileges increases public safety or puts citizens at risk. The issue has gained renewed attention after the crash, with both supporters and critics of the policy pointing to public safety as their primary concern.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 4:13 p.m. on State Route 66 and County Road N in Gorham Township. Washington G. Naula Ochoa, 34, of Perrysburg, was driving a pickup truck westbound when he failed to yield at a stop sign, entering the intersection and striking the SUV driven by Karr Grimes. The SUV overturned, resulting in Karr Grimes’ death. A 26-year-old woman and a 3-year-old child in the SUV were hospitalized with minor injuries. Three passengers in Naula Ochoa’s truck were unhurt. Naula Ochoa was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and a stop sign violation, and pleaded not guilty. Court records show he has an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, indicating federal interest in his immigration status.
Moreno’s Criticism of Connecticut Policy
In his letter to Lamont, Moreno argued that Connecticut’s policy contributed to the crash, stating, “If it were not for policy you championed, which allows illegal aliens to receive a ‘drive-only’ license, this young man may have reached his destination.” Moreno cited figures indicating that Connecticut has issued nearly 60,700 such licenses, calling them “nearly 61,000 additional opportunities for illegal aliens to harm and kill American citizens on our interstate highways.”
“Quite simply, your policies are killing my constituents.”
— Bernie Moreno, U.S. Senator for Ohio
Moreno also criticized Lamont’s prior support for removing the 'drive-only' marking from these licenses, arguing that it could make them indistinguishable from those held by U.S. citizens and raise concerns about unauthorized voting. He urged Lamont to adopt requirements like Ohio’s, which mandates proof of legal status for all driver’s license applicants. Moreno’s letter requested an apology from Lamont to the victim’s family and answers within five days to several questions, including the number of licenses issued, crimes committed by license holders, instances of voting by unauthorized immigrants, and the cost to taxpayers.
Moreno has previously raised concerns about unauthorized immigrants allegedly causing fatal incidents in Ohio, and this latest crash has intensified his criticism of states that issue licenses to people without legal status. He maintains that such policies pose a risk to public safety, particularly for residents of states like Ohio that do not have similar licensing programs.
Lamont’s Defense of the Program
Gov. Lamont responded by expressing condolences to the victim’s family and defending Connecticut’s approach. He said, “States including Connecticut offer drive-only licenses to undocumented residents to help ensure all drivers are trained, tested, and know the rules of the road. This reduces hit-and-run accidents and brings more drivers into the insurance system who might otherwise be driving uninsured.” Lamont added that many unauthorized immigrants need to drive for daily life, and that regulating their driving is safer for everyone.
Connecticut is one of 19 states plus the District of Columbia offering such licenses, according to The Daily Signal, while Ohio does not. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment before publication. Supporters of the policy argue that it improves public safety by ensuring that more drivers are properly trained and insured, while critics contend that it may encourage unauthorized immigration and pose risks to citizens.
Lamont has previously advocated for removing the 'drive-only' marking from these licenses, a move that has drawn criticism from opponents who say it could make it harder to distinguish between citizens and non-citizens. However, Lamont and other supporters argue that the primary goal is to make roads safer by ensuring that all drivers, regardless of immigration status, are subject to the same testing and insurance requirements.
Ongoing Debate and Next Steps
The incident has intensified scrutiny of state policies on licensing unauthorized immigrants, with both sides citing public safety as their primary concern. Moreno’s letter has added urgency to the debate, as he seeks answers from Lamont and calls for changes to Connecticut’s licensing laws.
Naula Ochoa’s case is pending, with charges of vehicular homicide and a not guilty plea entered. The legal process will determine his culpability in the crash, while the broader policy debate continues at both the state and national levels. The outcome of this case, and the responses from Connecticut officials, may influence future discussions on whether states should continue to issue 'drive-only' licenses to people in the country illegally.
