Federal immigration authorities have arrested a Minneapolis man, German Adriano Llangari Inga, 35, who is charged with causing a fatal drunk driving crash in August 2024. The incident led to the death of 31-year-old Victoria Eileen Harwell and has fueled political tensions over immigration enforcement and local cooperation with federal agencies.
On August 3, 2024, Llangari Inga was driving east on Lowry Avenue North in Minneapolis when he crossed the centerline near James Avenue and collided head-on with an SUV driven by Harwell. Her sister and 14-year-old daughter, both passengers, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Police at the scene reported signs of intoxication and discovered three open beer bottles in Llangari Inga’s vehicle. A preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.171%, more than twice Minnesota’s legal limit.
Llangari Inga was arrested at the scene but released two days later without charges. Although ICE had issued a detainer due to his alleged undocumented status, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office did not honor it, citing restrictions on holding individuals solely based on federal immigration requests.
Formal charges were not filed until May 2, 2025—nine months after the crash. Prosecutors attributed the delay to the time needed to process toxicology reports. A judge overseeing the case expressed concern over the prolonged timeline, raising questions about prosecutorial priorities.
The case quickly became a political flashpoint. The White House issued a strong rebuke of local officials, stating, “An illegal immigrant drove drunk, killed an innocent mother, and was on the run because Democrats didn’t do their most important job: protect their constituents.”
Llangari Inga was re-arrested on May 10 and later released on $100,000 bond. He has agreed to all court conditions, including surrendering his passport and remaining in Minnesota unless otherwise authorized by the court. His next hearing is scheduled for June 11, 2025.
The Harwell family, still grappling with the aftermath, has been deeply affected. Victoria’s father, Victor Harwell, is now raising five of her seven children. He expressed anguish over the loss, saying, “This has been too much to bear.”
This tragic case continues to provoke intense debate about sanctuary policies, the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration matters, and how justice is served in complex cross-jurisdictional incidents.
