ICE issues detainer for suspect in deadly Rowan Co. crash

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — The Rowan and Catawba County communities are mourning the loss of a young couple killed in a crash.

Skylar Provenza, 19, and Fletcher Harris, 20, were killed in a wreck Friday evening. According to North Carolina Highway Patrol, the couple was driving on Amity Hill Road in Rowan County when a Chevrolet Silverado crossed the center line and hit them head-on. 

Troopers said the driver of the Silverado, Juan Alvarado Aguilar, was driving while under the influence of alcohol. In a court hearing Tuesday, prosecutors for the Rowan County District Attorney’s Office said troopers smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from Alvarado Aguilar at the crash scene, and that he stumbled before being handcuffed.

Alvarado Aguilar has been charged with driving while impaired and two counts of felony death by motor vehicle. He was originally granted a $250,000 bond, but prosecutors asked a judge Tuesday to increase his bond due to concerns that he could flee the jurisdiction.

According to the district attorney’s office, Alvarado Aguilar failed to appear for two previous court hearings for a speeding charge and previous DWI charge. The judge increased Alvarado Aguilar’s bond to $5 million. 

Prosecutors also confirmed Alvarado Aguilar is in the U.S. illegally. He has been placed under an ICE detainer.

Friday’s crash has devastated Provenza and Harris’ loved ones. 

“They were so in love,” Danielle Neal, the owner of Tobo’s Diner, said. “She truly was so happy with him. They were always together. If you saw one, you saw the other.”

Neal, Provenza’s former employer at Tebo’s Diner, said Skylar had recently finished esthetician school and was preparing to start a new job at a salon.

“Skylar wasn’t just an employee to us,” Neal said. “She was family. She came in every day with a kind heart, a sweet smile and a great work ethic. I want her to be remembered as beautiful, sweet and kind-hearted.”

Harris, a junior and goalkeeper for Catawba College’s men’s soccer team, is being remembered for his “infectious personality” and “love for the game.” He spent this past summer playing for Hickory FC, a professional men’s soccer club, and helped lead the team to a national championship.

“We were very fortunate to have him and feel privileged to have had the time we did with him and, certainly, are heartbroken over what happened,” Jonathan Rink, the vice president of operations for Hickory FC, said. “Every training session was fun that he was present at. Every game day was fun. He just brought such an air of excitement and positivity around everything that he was a part of.”

A scholarship fund has been created in Harris’ honor at Catawba College.

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