WASHINGTON, June 18, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Five immigrants died and several
others were injured Sunday after a high-speed chase with Border Patrol agents
in Texas ended in a crash, local media reported.
The crash took place in the city of Big Wells outside San Antonio after
Border Patrol agents tried to stop the driver of an SUV, ABC television
affiliate KSAT reported.
A total of 14 people were in the vehicle, including the driver, who was
not seriously hurt.
It quoted Dimmit County Sheriff Marion Boyd as saying the driver was
traveling at speeds of 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour while trying to
flee from deputies.
While traveling at top speed, the driver lost control of the SUV, which
rolled, causing the deaths and injuries, the Texas Department of Public
Safety was quoted as saying.
The SUV driver was arrested by Homeland Security agents, KSAT quoted
officials as saying. Four of the passengers were pronounced dead at the scene
and another died at hospital. The injured were taken to hospitals for
treatment.
The deadly crash comes as the United States grapples with a swirling
crisis over illegal immigration that has seen nearly 2,000 children separated
from their parents over a recent six-week period.