Posted on 06/17/2005 1:28:57 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
The driver of an 18-wheel tractor truck fled the scene of an automobile accident Thursday afternoon, shortly after colliding with a small passenger vehicle. One of two injured in the collision is currently in critical condition, police said.
Authorities investigating the scene subsequently found eight undocumented immigrants inside the cab of the tractor truck. The immigrants were questioned and released to the custody of U.S. Border Patrol agents.
The intersection of McPherson and Saunders was blocked off by Laredo police officers as traffic investigators worked the scene of the automobile collision just after 6:15 p.m. Two were transported to the Laredo Medical Center with injuries.
"The female (age 32) who was driving the small passenger vehicle (a white Dodge Stratus), is in critical condition, with possible head injuries (and a broken arm)," said EMS Captain Javier Castillo. "The male, a 13-year-old minor, was transported for observation and is currently in stable condition," he added.
The two victims had to be extracted from the Sedan after the front driver's side of the vehicle got lodged underneath the tractor trailer.
Police blamed the driver of the tractor truck, who allegedly disregarded a red light while travelling west on Saunders Street. The tractor truck collided with the white Dodge Stratus as the vehicle made a right turn from McPherson.
Shortly before police arrived, the driver fled the scene, leaving the tractor truck behind.
Authorities rummaging through the tractor truck for evidence shortly after the accident were surprised to find eight undocumented immigrants hidden inside the cab.
The eight - four men, three women, and a young female child- were sitting together bunched up in a confined 4-by-8 foot space in the cab, or "sleeper" of the tractor truck, police said. They were not injured in the collision.
The illegal immigrants came from Mexico and South America, particularly Brazil and Peru, authorities said.
One of the immigrants, 40-year-old Franz Carhvancho, an electrical engineer from Peru, quietly sat on the pavement with tears in his eyes.
"I am only here because I need a job," he mumbled. "I just wanted a better life for my family, my wife and three kids (ages 16, 9 and 3). Then I planned to go back."
He explained he had to sell everything he had back home to make his journey to the north.
"I've been on the road for about two and a half months, walking, taking bus rides, hitchhiking (and) doing anything I can to get here," he said. "I had days that I went without water and didn't eat."
He added his journey was a long tortuous one in the hands of illegal traffickers.
When asked if he would attempt to illegally cross the border again, Carhvancho shook his head vigorously and said "never again. It's not worth it."
"I just want to go home," he said. "I want my wife to know that I am OK. She was scared for me."
Authorities said citations and criminal charges are pending for the driver of the tractor trailer. He will be charged for failure to stop and render aid, and he faces federal charges for transporting the illegal immigrants.
(Celina Alvarado can be reached at (956) 728-2566 or celina@lmtonline.com.)
Shortly before police arrived, the driver fled the scene, leaving the tractor truck behind.
Good luck!
Laredo Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
just crushing women and minors that Americans won't crush
Personally I would favor zero tolerance for illegal immigration and expanded and streamlined legal immigration (streamlined = no documents sitting on a desk for 6 months before being moved to another desk for another 6 months).
Why were the cops surprised to find illegal aliens in the truck? This is business as usual.
Some good news out of a sad story....
"Accident leads to discovery of South Americans"
Man, I thought the Europeans discovered the South Americans hundreds of years ago!
OTM's are Catch and Release not deported. Don't be too concerned for the man, he'll have a job by next Friday.
And the stories just keep coming...
Don't anyone lose sight of the fact that this has all been going on for years, but the MSM just are getting around to telling the rest of the country about it...
Name one illegal alien who doesn't hit and run... they learn how to do it before they sneak over the border, it's probably in the "immigrant guide".
Well, the good news for you is that you won't have to. As an Other-Than-Mexican (OTM), you'll be given a Notice To Appear for an immigration hearing, and asked to promise to show up. Then you'll be driven to a bus station to disappear into the U.S., most likely never to be bothered again. Thanks for coming here to do the electrical engineering that Americans won't do, Franz. Welcome to America,
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
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