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Why Trump Is Tweeting About This Tragic Accident That Killed An NFL Player

by Joseph D. Lyons
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images

Early on the morning of Super Bowl Sunday, a 26-year-old football player was involved in a tragic accident that killed both him and his Uber driver. And the latest news regarding what happened to Edwin Jackson had President Trump up and tweeting Tuesday.

The Indianapolis Colts linebacker was hit by a drunk driver on the side of Interstate 70 in Indianapolis. On Monday night, authorities shared the identity of the driver, a Guatemalan man who had been twice deported. In response, Trump tweeted Tuesday that it is "disgraceful that a person illegally in our country killed @Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson."

The incident occurred just before 4 a.m. on Sunday. The Indiana State Police said that Jackson and Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe, 54, were standing near a stopped vehicle at the side of the Interstate on the shoulder. Police think that Monroe had gotten out of the car to help Jackson, who was sick.

Then, an F-150, which is now thought to have been driven by Manuel Orrego-Savala, 37, veered into the emergency shoulder and struck the two. According to a statement from Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine, "one of the people struck was thrown into the center lane of I-70," The Indianapolis Star reported.

A trooper, Ty Mays, happened to be driving through the area and noticed a car in front of him swerve to the left, Perrine continued. Mays then saw the crash on the right, turned on his lights, and started to slow down.

"As he slowed to stop for the crash he struck the body of the victim in the center lane," Perrine's statement continued; whether that was Jackson or Monroe, the police did not share.

Orrego-Savala was apprehended on foot fleeing the scene. He gave police the fake name of Alex Cabrera-Gonsales, The Indianapolis Star reported Monday. His blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit.

It was after this update that Trump tweeted about the incident, attacking Democrats.

This is just one of many such preventable tragedies. We must get the Dems to get tough on the Border, and with illegal immigration, FAST!

Trump later added condolences to Jackson's family.

My prayers and best wishes are with the family of Edwin Jackson, a wonderful young man whose life was so senselessly taken.

Orrego-Savala's first deportation — in 2007 — came after he was accused of driving under the influence in 2005; his second deportation was in 2009. Both times he had been apprehended in San Francisco, transferred to Arizona, and then returned to Guatemala.

The Colts released a statement Sunday after learning of Jackson's death:

We were heartbroken to hear the news of Edwin Jackson's passing. Edwin was loved by all in the Colts organization. We admired his outgoing personality, competitive spirit and hard-working mentality. He was well-respected among all with whom he crossed paths, and he will be greatly missed in our locker room and throughout our entire organization. We also understand that another person lost his life in the accident, only adding to our sorrow on this day. We are shocked and saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of both men during this difficult time.

Jackson's roommate Chad Bouchez, who had gone out with him the night before, told CBS News that Jackson was behaving responsibly by taking an Uber home from a night out — not driving himself.

He was making the right steps to get home safely and not put anyone else in harm's way.

He also said that Jackson would not have wanted his death politicized — "He would not want that. I don't think Edwin would have judged anyone on where they were from or anything else."

The young Colts player will be missed.