Posted on 08/25/2006 4:10:05 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
PHOENIX - A relative of a couple critically injured in the Aug. 7 crash of a suspected smuggler's SUV that killed 11 other illegal immigrants blames the Border Patrol, not the suspected smuggler, for their injuries.
Luis Olivos Gomez, 30, and his wife, Teresa Chavez, 21, of Zamora, Mexico, remain hospitalized in Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, as does the couple's infant child, born prematurely by Caesarean section after the accident.
Olivos remains in a coma; Chavez has taken a few fledgling steps as she recovers from her injuries, but still hasn't spoken and has no recollection of the accident.
Border Patrol agents pursuing the Chevrolet Suburban carrying Gomez, Chavez and 18 other migrants north of Yuma placed spike strips in its path. The driver swerved to avoid the obstacle, and the truck rolled several times.
``This is an injustice,'' Olivios' brother, Victor Hugo Olivos of Michoacan, Mexico, said from his brother's bedside. ``Why did they use spikes to stop them? These were human beings, not armed criminals. They could have followed the vehicle until it ran out of gas.''
A Border Patrol spokesman said spike strips are used to safely deflate a tire and agents used them appropriately.
``I absolutely, 100 percent believe the spike strips were used in a safe manner,'' said spokesman Lloyd Frers. ``The driver saw them, quite obviously, and still crashed because he was still trying to break the law and get away.''
Five migrants died at the scene, and five others died at hospitals. One of the dead was a pregnant 17-year-old from Zamora, and authorities are counting her fetus as the 11th fatality in the crash. The victims were all from Mexico or El Salvador.
The Mexican man accused of driving the SUV, Adan Pineda Doval, 20, of Guetamo, was indicted this week by a federal grand jury. He faces 10 counts of causing the death of migrants while illegally transporting them, a crime that carries a potential life sentence. He's also charged with one count of endangering the lives of other migrants injured in the crash.
Saw this one coming a mile away. Guess the ole taxpayer will have to cough up some money in a settlement huh? I tell you if good people dont rise up and take control of this country soon, it will be all over but the cryin.
...and the total bill for all this is only $3,746,312.68.
Not one teensy weensy word of criticism for the driver, Victor?
This entitlement mentality is really over the top now.
It's always the good guy's fault. Never mind that they had way to many people in that vehicle, never mind they were carrying them across the border illegally, never mind that the driver drove recklessly in a most likely very top heavy vehicle. Yup, it's all the Border Patrol's fault for doing their job to stop illegal immigration. It's still tragic that all those people died but put the blame for this tragedy where it belongs.
The BP should be deploying great big ole feather pillows to ensnare crimmigrants.
Those are the breaks.
Why does everyone put the steel strips on sideways, t5o provide a ladder?
Those corrigations should run vertically.
Major dittos
blame the good guy, that's what it's all come down to in just about everything...
no public outrage about the illegal activity being conducted which, had there been none, this wouldn't be an issue...
too PC to call these "victims" what they are, ex-infiltrators, IMO...;)
This has GOT to be a joke.
I wonder if they have I.I.I. (Illegal Immigrant Insurance)?
bump
Olivos remains in a coma; Chavez has taken a few fledgling steps as she recovers from her injuries, but still hasn't spoken and has no recollection of the accident.
And how do they know this if she has not spoken?
Can they read her mind?
When word gets out to the other side that this is the fate them awaits them if they do this then we will have few less crossings to deal with.
They could have stayed in mexico.
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