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U.S. NEWS Monday 18 June 2018
5 dead as SUV chased by Border

Patrol crashes in South Texas

BIG WELLS, Texas (AP) — the fatal crash, the border
At least five people were patrol said.
killed and several others The incident comes amid
hurt Sunday as an SUV car- heightened tensions over
rying more than a dozen the treatment of immigrants
people during a suspected at the southern border. The
"smuggling event" crashed Trump administration has
while fleeing from Border said tougher immigration
Patrol agents in South Tex- policies — even separating
as, authorities said. children from their parents
The SUV carrying 14 people — are needed to deter im-
went out of control at more migrants from coming to
than 100 mph and over- the country illegally. Over
turned on Texas Highway a six-week period ending in
85, ejecting most of the May, about 2,000 children
occupants, Dimmit County had been separated from
Sheriff Marion Boyd said. their families, administra-
"From what we can tell the tion officials said Friday. In this image tweeted by David Caltabiano of KABB/WOAI, a
vehicle ran off the road Most of the occupants in heavily damaged SUV is seen on Texas Highway 85 in Big Wells,
and caught gravel and the SUV were believed in Texas, after crashing while carrying more than a dozen people
then tried to recorrect," the country without legal fleeing from Border Patrol agents, Sunday, June 17, 2018.
Boyd said, adding that permission. Boyd said the Associated Press
"caused the vehicle to turn driver and one passenger
over several times." were believed to be U.S.
Four victims were dead at citizens. The driver was
the scene, Boyd said. He among those hospitalized,
said at least one and pos- and a deputy who assisted
sibly two others died at a the Border Patrol with the
hospital. chase found the driver sit-
The Border Patrol said in a ting upright in his seat and
statement Sunday night took him and the passen-
that two other vehicles had ger into custody.
been traveling alongside "This, I think, is a perfect ex-
the SUV earlier in the day. ample, of why are borders
An agent suspected they need to be secured," Boyd
were conducting a "smug- said.
gling event," according to Some injured were taken
the statement, which did by helicopter to San Anto-
not elaborate. nio, about 90 miles (144.83
The border agent stopped kilometers) northeast. Dim-
one of the vehicles and mit County is directly north
another agent stopped of Webb County and east
a second one. Multiple of Maverick County, which
people from both vehicles border Mexico.
were arrested. "Our deepest sympathies
The third vehicle kept going go out to the families of
when agents encountered those who died in the
it, and a sheriff's deputy crash," The Border Patrol
took over the chase prior to said in the statement.q