Two residents of Dalton, Georgia were among eight people killed in a collision during a police chase involving migrants in south Texas. The driver of a vehicle carrying smuggled migrants attempted to flee deputies, resulting in a fatal crash with another vehicle. This incident highlights the dangers and risks associated with migrant smuggling. FOX 5 Atlanta reported
BAtESVILLE, Texas –
Two residents of Dalton, Georgia lost their lives in a tragic incident that occurred on November 8, 2023, in south Texas. The incident involved a high-speed chase with migrants.
The driver of a 2009 Honda Civic, carrying suspected smuggled migrants, attempted to escape from the Zavala County Sheriff’s Office deputies around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Instead of pulling over, the driver made a risky move by trying to overtake a semi-truck on a two-lane road, resulting in a collision with a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox.
The driver and five passengers in the Honda Civic tragically lost their lives in the crash, as confirmed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. However, their identities have not been disclosed at this time.
In addition to the occupants of the Honda Civic, two individuals from Dalton, Georgia, identified as 67-year-old Jose Lerma and 65-year-old Isabel Lerma, also lost their lives in the collision with the Equinox.
This devastating incident marks the highest number of fatalities in a vehicle crash involving migrants since a collision in remote Holtville, California, in March 2021, where 13 people lost their lives.
The Border Patrol implemented stricter regulations on vehicle chases earlier this year due to a series of fatal accidents.
Introduced in January, the policy does not completely prohibit pursuits but provides a clear framework for evaluating the risks associated with conducting chases, taking into consideration the potential dangers to the public versus the law enforcement benefits or requirements, according to CBP (Customs and Border Protection).
Fatal crashes involving local law enforcement agencies have also occurred in recent years. In June 2022, four migrants were killed in a smuggling attempt following a police chase in the South Texas city of Encinal.
Texas DPS officers have confirmed that multiple deceased passengers in the Honda Civic are from Honduras, as stated by Texas DPS spokesman Christopher Olivarez. Additionally, two individuals from Georgia lost their lives in the Equinox.
The identities of the deceased will be released to their families first, according to Olivarez.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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