ICE takes custody of Charlotte hit-and-run suspect as 15-year-old victim’s death prompts review
Case timeline: crash, arrest, and later federal custody
A 15-year-old Charlotte girl, Amber Caralexa Paris, died on December 19, 2025, nearly a month after she was seriously injured in a hit-and-run collision while riding an electric bicycle in east Charlotte. Police have said the crash occurred around 5:45 p.m. on November 24, 2025, in the 3500 block of Driftwood Drive near Winterfield Place.
Investigators determined a 2011 Dodge Caliber traveling north on Driftwood Drive entered a four-way intersection at the same time as the electric bicycle and struck it, ejecting Paris. The driver left the scene on foot, police said. The suspected driver, identified as Julio Cesar Xocop-Vicente, 40, was arrested on November 25, 2025, and initially charged with felony hit-and-run, reckless driving, and driving without a license. Detectives said the case remained under review for additional charges following Paris’ death.
What ICE says happened next
Federal immigration authorities later took Xocop-Vicente into custody on January 12, 2026, as local and federal officials continued a public dispute over how immigration detainers are handled in Mecklenburg County. ICE described the case as part of a broader enforcement effort in the Charlotte region, while local officials have maintained that the sheriff’s office follows state law governing notifications and the limited time period for holding detainees.
Immigration enforcement backdrop in Charlotte
The hit-and-run case unfolded after months of intensified immigration enforcement activity in and around Charlotte. In November 2025, federal agents carried out a surge operation publicly branded as “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” which resulted in hundreds of arrests over subsequent weeks and generated significant community disruption, including large spikes in school absences and public protests.
At the same time, Mecklenburg County’s sheriff and federal officials have disputed whether the jail has adequately cooperated with immigration detainer requests. A state law that took effect December 1, 2025, requires sheriffs across North Carolina to collaborate with ICE, including providing notice and a limited hold period tied to detainer procedures. Mecklenburg County officials have said they are issuing notifications and honoring the time limits, while also stating that ICE pickups have not consistently occurred within those windows.
Where the criminal case stands
The criminal charges filed immediately after the crash—felony hit-and-run, reckless driving, and driving without a license—were based on the initial investigation before Paris died. Police have indicated that prosecutors and investigators were evaluating whether additional charges should be filed after her death.
Crash date: November 24, 2025 (east Charlotte, Driftwood Drive at Winterfield Place area).
Initial arrest: November 25, 2025.
Victim’s death: December 19, 2025.
ICE custody date: January 12, 2026.
The investigation into the fatal collision has remained active, with authorities indicating that charging decisions following the victim’s death require coordination between investigators and prosecutors.