Suspected Smuggler Crashes in Texas, Killing 8 People

By Better Today On Nov 8, 2023

TL/DR –

Eight people were killed in Texas when a driver, suspected of human smuggling, collided head-on with another vehicle while attempting to evade authorities. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 57 near Batesville while the suspect was trying to pass an 18-wheeler in a no-passing zone. The deceased include six individuals from the suspect’s vehicle and two people from Georgia who were in the SUV that was hit, several of whom were reportedly from Honduras.

Suspected Human Smuggling Incident Ends in Fatal Car Crash in Texas

An alleged human smuggling operation ended in tragedy as eight people were killed in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 57, near Batesville, Texas. The 21-year-old driver, suspected of human smuggling, tried to evade Zavala County Sheriff’s Office and crashed into another vehicle.

This incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m., approximately 83 miles southwest of San Antonio. According to Lt. Chris Olivarez, spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety, the driver dangerously overtook an 18-wheeler in a no-passing zone.

The reckless maneuver led to a head-on collision with a Chevrolet SUV, which instantly burst into flames. Both vehicles were severely damaged and debris was scattered across the highway.

Among the victims were six people in the Honda and two Georgia residents in the Chevrolet SUV. Several of the individuals in the Honda were confirmed to be from Honduras. The authorities are withholding the names until family members are notified.

Last year, over 50 migrants were found dead in an abandoned truck in San Antonio, marking one of the deadliest human smuggling incidents in U.S. history.

Other car accidents linked to human smuggling have also been reported. In La Joya, one person was killed and 11 others were hospitalized in a similar incident last November. The driver had ignored a red light while trying to evade law enforcement.

In June 2022, a comparable crash occurred in Encinal, Texas, resulting in the death of four migrants. The vehicle that was carrying them collided with a TNI Trucking Co. vehicle.

The current investigation into the Batesville crash continues as authorities work to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.