FBI: Illegal immigrant on the run for 15 years arrested for crash that killed Indy teen

INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities have arrested an illegal immigrant who has been on the run for 15 years for his alleged role in a deadly crash that left a teen dead in Indianapolis.

According to FBI Indianapolis officials, 36-year-old Israel Espinosa was placed under arrest in Oklahoma on Friday, Sept. 26. He had been wanted since Nov. 27, 2010, when officials allege his Nissan Altima struck an SUV that was stopped at a traffic light.

The crash left 16-year-old Megan Ratliff dead, who was a passenger in the SUV. FBI officials said empty alcohol containers were allegedly found inside Espinosa’s Nissan.

Espinosa faces multiple preliminary charges. These include:

• Reckless homicide
• Failure to stop after a crash
• Operating a vehicle while never licensed

In addition to these charges, FBI officials said Espinosa had reentered the United States as an illegal immigrant after previously being deported.

FBI Indianapolis’ Violent Crime Task Force led the search to locate and detain Espinosa as part of its Operation No Escape. Their search eventually led them to Oklahoma City, where they collaborated with the FBI Oklahoma Field Office to arrest Espinosa.