Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker’s decision to provide driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants is facing renewed scrutiny after a Venezuelan national with an Illinois license allegedly struck a young boy in Pennsylvania and fled the scene. The child suffered serious injuries to his head and right arm and was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital. Federal immigration authorities have since lodged a detainer against the accused driver. She now faces seven criminal charges stemming from the collision.
The incident occurred Sunday afternoon in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, roughly 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. Police identified the accused driver as 29-year-old Yorgelis Alexandra Matos-Bravo, a Venezuelan national who had been living in Chicago. Authorities said Matos-Bravo was driving a red 2016 Chevrolet Cruze when she allegedly struck the boy near the intersection of Third Street and Fallowfield Avenue.
Police accused Matos-Bravo of speeding before the collision and leaving the injured child in the roadway. Another minor reportedly recorded the vehicle’s license plate number, allowing investigators to locate footage of the car on nearby surveillance cameras. Matos-Bravo later returned after speaking with her brothers and allegedly admitted striking the boy, telling investigators through a translation app that she fled because she was shocked and nervous.
Libs of TikTok drew attention to the case in an August 28th Facebook post pairing info about the collision with a screenshot from Pritzker’s office. “Here’s JB Pritzker boasting about giving illegals drivers licenses,” the post said. The account noted that Matos-Bravo possessed a valid Illinois license and asked Pritzker to comment on the case.
The photo from the post came from a June 30th, 2023, press release announcing that Pritzker had signed HB 3882. The legislation replaced Illinois’ Temporary Visitor Driver’s License program with standardized four-year licenses available to applicants regardless of their immigration status. “We’re ensuring every eligible individual can obtain a driver’s license, making our roads safer, decreasing stigma, and creating more equitable systems for all,” Pritzker said.
Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses previously carried a purple marking stating that they were not valid for identification. Under the Pritzker-backed law, qualifying illegal immigrants instead receive standard licenses marked “Federal Limits Apply.” The cards are not REAL ID-compliant and cannot be used for federal identification purposes, but they function as ordinary driver’s licenses and identification in Illinois. The change took effect on July 1st, 2024.
The Department of Homeland Security provided additional information about Matos-Bravo’s immigration history in an August 28th statement. According to the department, Matos-Bravo illegally crossed the southern border through Texas in July 2022 and was released into the United States during the Biden administration. She subsequently obtained the Illinois driver’s license identified following the collision.
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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin blamed both the Biden administration’s border policies and Illinois officials for allowing Matos-Bravo to remain in the country and drive legally. “This was a completely avoidable crime that was enabled by the reckless, America Last policies of sanctuary politicians,” Mullin said. ICE lodged a detainer requesting that Washington County authorities transfer Matos-Bravo to federal custody if she is released from local custody.
Matos-Bravo has been charged with felony aggravated assault involving a victim under 13, recklessly endangering another person, accident involving damage to a vehicle or property, disorderly conduct, reckless driving, careless driving, and speeding. The injured boy was initially transported to Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital before being transferred to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh with serious injuries that authorities said were not life-threatening.