13 dead in California SUV crash
All 13 persons killed whenever a packed automobile collided with a vehicle in California are thought to have entered the US illegally through a near by breach found in the Mexico border fence, US authorities said Wednesday.
A 10-feet gap in the frontier barrier was identified around one hour before officials discovered of Tuesday morning’s deadly crash, which took place around 30 miles from the border rift.
Preliminary investigations “indicate a potential nexus to the aforementioned breach in the border wall,” said El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino in a statement.
Surveillance footage showed two automobiles collecting border crossers from the site of the breach early Tuesday.
As well as the fatal crash, a second car was found divided and in flames by border patrol agents, who located another 19 individuals hiding in the brush nearby who had entered the US through the fence.
Neither car had been pursued for legal reasons enforcement when the incident occurred, the US Customs and Border Protection statement said.
Tuesday’s automobile accident occurred when an SUV carrying more than several dozen persons - including minors - and a semi-truck crashed around El Centro, California.
At least 10 of the deceased victims were Mexican, based on the Mexican government.
A complete of 25 occupants - including a driver who was simply later among the lifeless - were traveling in the SUV during the crash, the declaration said.
The Ford Expedition SUV could have a legal capacity of about eight people, in line with the carmaker’s website.
“Human smugglers have proven time and again they have little regard for human lifestyle,” said Bovino.
“Those who may be contemplating crossing the border illegally should pause to think about the dangers that all too often end in tragedy; tragedies our Border Patrol Agents and primary responders are however very acquainted with.”
The accident occurred when the SUV entered an intersection before the semi-truck, officials earlier said, though it was not known whether the smaller vehicle had stopped at the stop sign.
