The 13 people who died in a serious car accident in southern California on Tuesday were believed to be part of a group of dozens of migrants who had recently been illegally smuggled into the US.
A truck loaded with gravel collided Tuesday on the SUV of the victims, in which as many as 25 adults and young people were crammed. Some of the victims were thrown from the Ford Expedition by the impact. The car was originally built for five to eight occupants, but the smugglers had removed the rear seats to make more room.
Authorities said the migrants had recently driven into the country through a hole in the border fence. That hole is a common route for people smugglers. Border guards continuously patrol the area to prevent illegal border traffic.
It is still unclear how the traffic accident, one of the deadliest in California history, could have happened. The 22-year-old driver may have missed a stop sign. Border police announced on Wednesday that the car was not being chased.
Of the thirteen fatalities, at least ten came from Mexico and one from Guatemala. The identification process of the other victims is still in full swing.
In addition to the Ford Expedition, surveillance footage from the border also spotted a second SUV, a Chevrolet Suburban. That car also turned out to be crammed with more than nineteen illegal migrants. Police were able to arrest the occupants a little later when their SUV caught fire for as yet inexplicable reason.
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