SANTA BARBARA, HONDURAS – A drunk driving, drag racing illegal alien that crashed into a car in Omaha causing the tragic death of Iowa woman Sarah Root was allowed by a judge to flee on bail years ago, but now he has been caught in Río Frío, and faces a harrowing journey North to justice.
The Honduran National Police captured Eswin Mejía in Santa Bárbara, Honduras, in recent days, the agency reported.
“He has been a fugitive since 2016 and is wanted by the US for the murder of an American citizen,” police said in a statement. “We remain firm against impunity and transnational crime.”
The Honduran National Police reported the capture of Eswin Mejía (pictured at top), also known as Edwin G. Mejía, Eswin Gabriel Mejía and Gabriel Eswin Mejía, who was wanted by the United States (US) authorities for extradition purposes. Mejía is the alleged person responsible for the death of the American citizen Sarah Root in 2016 and had remained a fugitive since then.
His arrest took place on February 27, 2025 in the village of Río Frío, municipality of San Nicolás, department of Santa Bárbara. The operation was carried out by special search and capture units of the National Police, after intelligence and monitoring work.
The Honduran citizen is wanted by the US justice system for the following crimes:
– Motor Vehicle Homicide: Class II A Felony, in violation of Sections 28-306(1) and 28-306(3)(b) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes.
– Failure to appear before a court: Class IV Felony, in violation of Section 29-908 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes.
Following his arrest, Mejía will be transferred under strict security measures to the National Directorate of Special Forces in Tegucigalpa, and it is expected that he will be presented before the Supreme Court of Justice for the corresponding hearing within the extradition process.
The Honduran authorities stressed that the capture of Mejía was possible thanks to the close cooperation with the United States government, which strengthens bilateral ties in matters of security and justice.
Sarah Root was killed in 2016 when an allegedly highly-intoxicated drag racing illegal alien rear ended her car, waiting at a stop light. He was allowed bail by a judge, and he fled the country. Reportedly, Sarah Root had earned a Bachelors Degree in Investigations from Bellevue University and had recently graduated.
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, who has referenced Root many times in the media, said, “For 9 years, the illegal immigrant who killed Sarah Root was never held accountable. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and work with the Honduran government, Edwin Mejia has been arrested! We are a major step closer to justice for Sarah, the Roots, and every Iowan!”
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement after Sarah Root’s killer, Eswin Mejía, was arrested by Honduran Authorities:
“It is tragic that Sarah Root’s family has waited this long for justice—but it is good news that after nearly a decade as a fugitive, her killer was arrested by Honduran authorities. My heart goes out to Sarah’s family, and I look forward to them receiving the justice they deserve.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also weighed in, saying, “Finally, justice for the Root family. Thank you to Senator Joni Ernst for fighting so hard to get Sarah’s Law passed, and to President Donald Trump, for signing it into law.”
(TOP PHOTO OF Eswin Mejía via canal8honduras Instagram.)