Federal officials say the accused driver had previously been deported and was unlawfully in the United States when the fatal crash occurred.
LANCASTER, OH — A 33-year-old Mexican national faces aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges after authorities say his SUV overturned into oncoming traffic on U.S. 33 in Fairfield County, killing 23-year-old teacher Cameron Lyon and injuring Lyon’s fiancée.
The Sept. 6 crash has drawn attention both to the death of a young educator who had recently begun teaching fifth- and sixth-grade students and to the immigration history of the accused driver, Alvaro Uribe-Gonzalez. The Department of Homeland Security said Uribe-Gonzalez was unlawfully in the United States, had previously been deported and was the subject of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer after his arrest.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash happened about 6:15 p.m. on U.S. 33 near U.S. 22 in Hocking Township. Lyon, of Caledonia, was driving a 2025 Chevrolet Trax west when a 2016 GMC Terrain traveling east went off the right side of the roadway. Troopers said the Terrain overcorrected, left the road to the left, overturned into the westbound lanes and struck Lyon’s vehicle. The Terrain then caught fire.
Emergency crews treated Lyon at the scene before taking him to Fairfield Medical Center, where he died a short time later. His passenger and fiancée, 23-year-old Abrielle Kerns of Lancaster, was taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital. The highway patrol initially described her injuries as not life-threatening. Uribe-Gonzalez was taken to Fairfield Medical Center with minor injuries.
Authorities have said alcohol is suspected as a factor in the crash. Uribe-Gonzalez has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol and operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Local reporting said he was being held in the Fairfield County Jail on a $5 million bond.
DHS said ICE lodged a detainer with the Fairfield County Jail after Uribe-Gonzalez was arrested. Federal officials said he entered the United States unlawfully through Texas in January 2020, was arrested by Border Patrol and received a final removal order from an immigration judge that month. DHS said he was deported in April 2020 and later returned to the United States unlawfully. Federal authorities did not specify when they believe he reentered.
Lyon had recently begun teaching fifth- and sixth-grade students at Crestline Exempted Village Schools. The district said his death had left his family, fiancée, students and colleagues grieving. “Our hearts are broken for his family, his fiancee, his students, his colleagues and all those whose lives he touched,” the district said in a public statement. Counselors were made available to students and staff as the school community returned to class.
Lyon had also recently become engaged. Local reporting said he and Kerns became engaged in July during a family trip to Rhode Island and had been working to renovate a family farmhouse. He was an Eagle Scout and had recently started his first teaching job. His death came only weeks into a new chapter that included both his career in education and plans for marriage.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Multiple local fire, emergency medical and law enforcement agencies assisted at the scene. Uribe-Gonzalez remained in custody with an ICE detainer on file as the criminal case proceeded, while Crestline school officials continued providing support to students and employees mourning Lyon’s death.
Author note: Last updated September 11, 2026.