Illegally Immigrant Truck Driver Linked to PPP Loan Recipient Faces Reckless Homicide Charges
Following a tragic and widely reported incident on U.S. Highway 20 in Indiana, where an illegal immigrant was implicated in a deadly semi-truck crash, the public has turned its attention toward the legal and financial responsibilities of individuals accessing government programs. Borko Stankovic, an illegal immigrant from Serbia and Montenegro, is under investigation for causing the accident that led to the death of Jeffrey Eberly, a 54-year-old man, during a sudden stop on the highway. According to the Portage Police Department, Stankovic was driving a semi-truck when, due to a traffic stop near Douglas Drive, he attempted a dangerous left turn into the wrong lane. This resulted in a collision with a Subaru Crosstrek, and the subsequent jackknifing of the semi-truck led to it hitting a Ram Sprinter and pushing it into a road sign.
As a result, the accident claimed the life of Jeffrey Eberly, who was the driver of the Subaru at the time. The severity of the crash has drawn public concern regarding the potential involvement of undocumented immigrants in such high-risk scenarios. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, speaking on behalf of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has confirmed that Stankovic had been living in the United States illegally since February 2011 and had no legal status throughout the time he operated his company. McLaughlin emphasized the role of ICE in detaining Stankovic, who has been charged with felony reckless homicide and felony criminal recklessness resulting in death.
Additionally, records from the ProPublica projects reveal that two of Stankovic’s companies, Eclipse Trucking Inc. and ESD Team Inc., received a combined total of over $35,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The financial details were obtained through a publicly accessible database, which indicates that these loans were forgiven, raising concerns about the oversight of such programs and the possibility of undocumented immigrants benefitting from taxpayer funds. Rosemary Jenks, policy director for the Immigration Accountability Project, has voiced her apprehension about the situation, stressing that American taxpayers should not support financial aid for individuals without legal status, given the current administration’s approach to such financial assistance during the pandemic.
Stankovic’s arrest was part of a broader effort involving ICE, which placed a detainer with Porter County Jail following his detention. His legal status has also been a point of discussion, especially with reports of him having a suspended Illinois CDL, which he did not have a valid license for at the time of the crash. The case has prompted further inquiry into the intersection of immigration, traffic safety, and financial responsibility, as authorities and critics alike have called for stricter oversight and accountability for individuals operating in the United States without proper documentation.
Law enforcement officials, including those from Porter County, have expressed their commitment to enhancing traffic safety measures and enforcing legal standards for those operating heavy commercial vehicles. The incident has also triggered a deeper examination of the effectiveness of current policies regarding the oversight of government financial assistance programs, especially in light of past administrations’ approaches to such measures. As the legal proceedings continue, the case of Borko Stankovic has become a significant point of discussion for public policy, immigration laws, and the ethical implications of financial support for individuals lacking legal status in the United States.