Tony Gebian Lopez Infante, 32, who already had a deportation order, hit Zach Carach as he was crossing the street on May 18, the Department of Homeland Security said.

Florida-native Carach was in Nashville to celebrate his 21st birthday.

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Lopez Infante “should never have been in the US,” blaming the Biden administration for allowing him to stay.

“The Biden Administration released this illegal alien into our country in 2023,” said McLaughlin. “This crime was preventable and is the direct result of open border policies that prioritized illegal aliens over the safety of American citizens. Secretary Noem is praying for Zachary Carach’s quick recovery.”

Lopez Infante entered the US on Aug. 1, 2023, and was released into the country two weeks later, according to DHS. He was ordered deported by an immigration judge on Sept. 25, 2024, but was never arrested.

He is also wanted in Williamson County for an outstanding probation violation warrant related to a previous theft, according to WKRN.

The victim’s mother, Sheena Carach, said the situation has been “physically and mentally exhausting for everyone” as her son has spent more than two weeks in the hospital.

“I’m his mom, and I’m lighting a fire. And I’m begging and pleading with every single citizen of this country to get this out there,” Sheena said.