4 migrants killed, 2 critical in Texas crash during suspected human smuggling incident
At least four migrants were killed and two others were in critical condition in Encinal, Texas, in what authorities have described as a deadly human smuggling incident.
A vehicle carrying the migrants crashed with a TNI Trucking Co. vehicle Thursday, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. A smuggling suspect who drove them was airlifted for medical attention.
The driver of the truck is fine, a TNI spokesperson said, and a manager from TNI's Laredo Texas Terminal was dispatched to the scene.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that the vehicle was traveling north of Laredo and failed to yield to border agents before it crashed.
The crash comes just days after at least 53 migrants died in an abandoned big rig in San Antonio. Authorities said Monday that the migrants in the abandoned tractor-trailer were suffering from heatstroke and heat exhaustion after they were left inside with no water or air conditioning.
U.S. Border Patrol said Wednesday that agents foiled a similar smuggling attempt that involved 10 migrants in a tractor-trailer.
