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The Savannah community is grappling with the tragic loss of a cherished teacher, Linda Davis, who was fatally struck in a crash during a high-speed chase on Monday. The accident unfolded when a driver, attempting to evade federal immigration officers, collided with her vehicle.
As confirmed by the Chatham County Police Department, the heartbreaking incident occurred shortly before 7:45 a.m. at the intersection of Whitefield Avenue and Truman Parkway. Davis’s untimely passing has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew her.
Oscar Vasquez-Lopez, a 38-year-old Guatemalan national, was identified as the driver fleeing from Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. In a desperate attempt to escape, Vasquez-Lopez executed an illegal U-turn and ran a red light, ultimately crashing into Davis’s car. According to a DHS spokesperson, Vasquez-Lopez was under a final order of removal dating back to 2024, although the specifics of his entry into the United States remain unknown.
Linda Davis was not just a teacher; she was a beacon of warmth and positivity. Her impact was deeply felt by families like the Hardees, whose six-year-old autistic daughter was once under Davis’s nurturing guidance at Hesse K-8 School. Coleman Hardee recalls how Davis’s infectious enthusiasm and compassionate nature transformed his daughter’s school experience.
“She was just so bubbly,” Coleman Hardee shared. “When someone says a ‘ray of sunshine’, that’s what she is… My daughter went from not wanting to go to school, crying every single day, and then Ms. Davis came around and she was excited to go to school. For me, it was just a weight lifted off my shoulders when [Davis] was around.”
also talked with Caitlin Terry, who was sitting in the car in front of Davis when the crash happened. Terry, who is eight months pregnant, was in the car with her three-year-old daughter.
“[Davis] took that hit while I was able to turn away,” Terry said. “If she wasn’t there, he would have hit my driver door. He would have hit the door right behind me, which had my three-year-old. I’m eight months pregnant. None of us would have made it… She’s definitely a hero. She saved my family. She saved my husband from getting the worst phone call.”
A spokesperson with CCPD said the department was not involved in the immigration operation, rather officers only responded to the crash.
The school system said in a statement that resources will be available to students and staff in the coming days.