Haitian Immigrant Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run Incident in Indiana

<p>Franck Bazil, a 31-year-old Haitian immigrant, has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a 9-year-old boy in Lawrence, Indiana, on October 4, 2026. The incident occurred just hours before the boy's birthday party.</p><p>Authorities reported that Bazil allegedly struck two young brothers with a black Ford SUV and fled the scene. He was arrested shortly after leaving a car wash, according to the Indianapolis Star. He faces charges for leaving the scene of an accident causing death or catastrophic injury and leaving the scene of an accident causing moderate or serious bodily injury.</p><p>Bazil entered the United States illegally on January 7, 2024, and was subsequently released into the country, as confirmed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson.</p><p>Local police responded to the crash at approximately 1:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a child lying in the street. Upon arrival, officers found the two brothers, aged 6 and 9, who had been struck by the vehicle, which had already left the area.</p><p>The 9-year-old, identified as Roland Jerome “RJ” McLain III, was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died. Witnesses indicated that RJ may have attempted to protect his younger brother during the incident, according to statements from their grandmother, LaQuisha Moore.</p><p>Following the crash, Bazil reportedly told officers that he had hit something while leaving an apartment complex and fled the scene out of fear after being informed by a bystander that he had struck a child. He later contacted relatives for advice, who advised him to turn himself in to the authorities.</p><p>Bazil received a Social Security card on February 29, 2024, and an Indiana driver's license on November 8, 2025, as per the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Initially, he was mistakenly identified as an American citizen in his jail profile due to these documents, but the error was later corrected.</p><p>ICE has lodged a detainer with the Marion County Jail, requesting that Bazil be transferred to federal immigration custody if he is released.</p><p>According to an ICE spokesperson, “The safest way to arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from our streets is by lodging arrest detainers. Seven of the top 10 safest cities in the United States cooperate with ICE.” The spokesperson also emphasized that under the previous administration, the stance on criminal illegal aliens was clear.</p>