Tragic Farewell: Wisconsin Teen’s Family Bids Goodbye Following Fatal Crash
A poignant video captures the devastating farewell of a Wisconsin family to their 19-year-old son, Brady Heiling, who reportedly lost his life due to a drunk driving incident involving an undocumented immigrant. This emotional moment took place as Heiling’s family gathered before he became an organ donor.
Surrounded by grieving relatives and friends, Heiling’s unresponsive body was transported in a stretcher through a hospital corridor. A visible sign reading "DONATE LIFE" adorned the front of the gurney, indicating his contribution to organ donation. His mother, Jen Heiling, shared heartfelt sentiments online, expressing how deeply loved her son was.
As loved ones surrounded the teen, who was dependent on a breathing machine, they leaned over him, crying out their final goodbyes.
Heiling, traveling with his 18-year-old partner, Hallie Helgeson, met a tragic fate after being struck by an alleged drunk driver, identified as 30-year-old Noelia Saray Martinez-Avila, an undocumented immigrant from Honduras. According to authorities, Martinez-Avila was driving the wrong way on an interstate near Madison when the collision occurred on July 20.
Helgeson died at the scene, while Heiling survived for five days post-accident after being airlifted to the hospital. Despite enduring several unsuccessful surgeries, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), issued a statement emphasizing that both Helgeson and Heiling had promising futures ahead and that their lives could have been preserved if not for Martinez-Avila’s actions.
Martinez-Avila’s previous driving record includes a drunk driving conviction from November 2020 and multiple other infractions related to license violations and unsafe driving practices. Following the fatal incident, it was revealed that she was required to have a device in her vehicle that would prevent it from starting if she had consumed alcohol, but she did not have the device installed at the time of the crash.
In response to the incident, DHS criticized the sanctuary policies in Dane County, claiming these policies contribute to situations where offenders are released, potentially leading to further tragedies.
Martinez-Avila faces charges of two counts of felony vehicular homicide and impaired driving, and ICE has placed a detainer to secure her transfer into federal custody and initiate deportation proceedings.
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