Peabody Wrong-Way Crash Suspect In US 20 Years Without Visa: Homeland Security

PEABODY, MA — The Department of Homeland Security said the wrong-way driver suspected of drunk driving when he crashed into a state trooper on Route 1 in Peabody early Sunday morning was taken into custody before his arraignment on Tuesday for overstaying his travel visa from Italy for nearly two decades.

Homeland Security Acting Assistant Lauren Bis said Lucas Dibenedetto, 41, of Newburyport, arrived in the United States on a 3-month travel visa from Italy in 2007 and never left.

• ICE Detains Suspect In Peabody Wrong-Way Crash That Injured State Trooper

He was charged with OUI, negligent driving and driving on the wrong side of a highway following the crash at about 2 a.m. on Sunday and then released on $500 court-magistrate bail.

Federal Immigration agents then took him into custody in the parking lot of Peabody District Court when he arrived for his hearing on Tuesday morning.

"Following his arrest, sanctuary politicians in Massachusetts released this dangerous criminal from jail without notifying ICE," Bis said. "He is now in ICE custody and will be removed from the country.

"Sanctuary politicians must stop gambling with the lives of Americans and start cooperating with us to make America safe again."

The Peabody District Court judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest for not attending his arraignment.

The state trooper injured in the crash, who has not been identified, was taken to a local hospital and later released.

Bis said DiBenedetto will "remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings."

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• State Trooper Hospitalized After Route 1 Wrong-Way Crash In Peabody