Former President Donald Trump addressed the tragic death of Nashville restaurant owner Matt Carney during a rally last week in Montana.
Trump used Carney's death to emphasize the dangers of illegal immigration, reinforcing his call for stringent immigration policies as part of his 2024 presidential campaign, as the Daily Wire reports.
Matt Carney, 42, died on July 4 from injuries he sustained on June 19 after being struck by a truck in the parking lot of his restaurant, Smokin Thighs. The driver of the truck, 29-year-old Ulises Martinez, is an illegal immigrant from Mexico.
Carney had tried to stop Martinez and another individual from stealing tools from his truck when he was fatally hit by the vehicle. Martinez’s immigration status came to light after the Daily Wire's investigation, which was later confirmed by ICE.
Martinez entered the United States at an unknown date and location. Before this incident, he faced charges in March for driving a stolen vehicle and stealing tools from parked vehicles, but a Nashville judge dismissed the charges due to a lack of probable cause. Martinez is currently incarcerated in Davidson County Jail, facing multiple charges including criminal homicide. His court hearing is set for Aug. 27.
Former President Trump used his rally in Bozeman to cast a critical light on migrant crime in the United States, pointing to Carney’s death as a poignant example. Trump's comments aimed to bolster his strong stance on immigration.
“They’re coming from prisons, they’re coming from jails, they’re coming from all over the place,” Trump said during his rally, describing the situation as a “migrant crime wave.”
Trump promised a “Trump mass deportation” plan if he is elected again, criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris for her role as President Biden’s “border czar.”
According to ICE, Martinez's illegal status in the U.S. adds another layer to the tragic incident. His entry details remain unknown, which Trump highlighted as a failure of the current administration’s border policies.
Trump painted a grim picture of American cities, saying, “Look at what’s happening to our cities. Our cities are being overrun.”
The former president described Carney’s tragic final moments, stating, “On July 4th, a 42-year-old Nashville man died after he tried to stop an illegal alien from stealing tools out of his truck. The illegal alien did a number on this man that nobody could even believe.”
Carney's attempt to protect his property ended in him being thrown from the hood of the truck and "left to die in the street after being beat to hell,” according to Trump.
The rally in Montana highlighted the broader issue of migrant crime in America, with Trump using Carney’s fatal encounter as an urgent call for comprehensive immigration reform.
