NASHVILLE, TN – Authorities are actively searching for a Venezuelan migrant who is in the United States illegally after he allegedly smashed into a tourist who was in Nashville celebrating his 21st birthday and bolted from the scene, leaving the victim seriously injured.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 32-year-old Tony Gebian Lopez Infante already had a deportation order the night he hit Zach Carach as he was crossing the street on May 18th, the New York Post reported. Carach, a native of Florida, was in Nashville celebrating his 21st birthday.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin blamed the Biden administration for allowing Lopez Infante to stay in the country. He “should have never been in the US,” she said. “The Biden administration released this illegal alien into our country in 2023. This crime was preventable and is the direct result of open border policies that prioritized illegal aliens over the safety of American citizens. Secretary Noem is praying for Zachary Carach’s quick recovery,” McLaughlin added.
Lopez Infante entered the United States on August 1, 2023, and was released into the country two weeks later, according to DHS. He was ordered deported by an immigration judge on September 25, 2024, but was never arrested for that deportation. The victim’s mother, Sheena Carach, said that the situation has been “physically and mentally exhausting for everyone” as her son was in the hospital for more than two weeks following the accident.
“I’m his mom, and I’m lighting a fire. And I’m begging and pleading with every single citizen of this country to get this out there,” Sheena said.
A GoFundMe has been set up by his mother to raise money to help him during his recovery. “By the grace of God, Zach is not dead or paralyzed. He is beat and broke up and will require at least a few days in the hospital and then weeks of physical therapy and possibly surgery. BUT HE IS ALIVE,” the fundraiser read, in part.
Lopez Infante is also wanted in Williamson County for an outstanding probation violation warrant related to a previous theft, WKRN reported. He is facing multiple charges in the hit-and-run incident, including driving without a license and insurance. After hitting Carach, Lopez Infante fled the scene. Two days later the vehicle was found in Mt. Juliet at a rental facility.
Sheena has been sharing what she knows on social media, hoping someone will come forward with information.
“Somebody knows where he is, somebody knows where he’s hiding, somebody is helping him hide,” Sheena said.
