Three individuals, including a United States citizen and two suspected migrants, have died after a Nissan sports utility vehicle driver lost control and crashed while fleeing sheriff’s office deputies in Dimmit County, Texas. The tragic incident occurred on Texas Highway 85 near Carrizo Springs, Texas, with the driver losing control of the vehicle and rolling several times, resulting in the ejection of several of the six passengers.
Law enforcement officers discovered three deceased individuals at the scene, with two of them believed to be migrant individuals and one identified as a United States citizen suspected of being involved in smuggling. Multiple other passengers sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to a San Antonio hospital for further treatment.
The driver has been apprehended and is facing multiple felony charges in connection with the case, under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The crash took place approximately 50 miles from Eagle Pass, Texas, along a route commonly used by migrant smugglers who dangerously speed through isolated two-lane highways to evade authorities.
Although there were no innocent civilians killed in the crash, the law enforcement source noted the severity of the incident. A similar crash in neighboring Zavala County claimed the lives of eight individuals, including a suspected smuggler and five migrants, as well as two innocent motorists from Georgia in November 2023.
Despite a significant decrease in migrant crossings in the Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector, which includes Dimmit and Zavala counties, Mexican cartel smugglers remain active. The reduction in crossings is part of a collaborative effort between Mexico and the United States to deter migrants from quickly surrendering to Border Patrol for potential release into the U.S. for asylum claims.
Cartelsmugglers transport migrants on border highways, knowing they face immediate expulsion and will not be granted entry into the United States. Randy Clark, a retired Border Patrol Division Chief with 32 years of experience, provides insight on border security issues and trends.
