“There Were Bodies All Over The Place,” Police Chief Says
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“There Were Bodies All Over The Place,” Police Chief Says Save Email Print

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(March 27, 2008)--A pickup truck crammed with as many as 25 people crashed into an SUV near the Texas-Mexico border Thursday.

Three people were killed and at least nine others were hurt in what authorities believe was an illegal immigrant smuggling attempt.

The wreck happened before dawn on U.S. Highway 83 in the small Valley town of Penitas, about 15 miles west of McAllen.

The highway is the main east-west traffic artery in the lower Rio Grande Valley,

The interim police chief of Penitas, David Harris says, "There were bodies all over the place."

Border Patrol spokesman Oscar Saldana said his agency had three suspected illegal immigrants in custody.

Harris says the driver ran off, but he's believed to be injured.

Some survivors told police they had been hurried into the back of the truck and had not been riding long before the accident.

Joe Cantu is the police spokesman in neighboring La Joya.

He says the area's a major immigrant-smuggling corridor, and that there's been a recent influx of immigrants from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

Cantu says most of those involved in this accident are believed to be Mexican.


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Posted by: Mary Location: Cove on Mar 29, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Reality Check~In the spirit of PC-ness which is destroying this country, we dare not call the obvious what it is. We can only "allege."

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Central Texas on Mar 29, 2008 at 12:35 AM
No "A Mom" isn't a racist she's a realist. You normally don't see any other race pile into cars like clowns or the back of trucks like cattle unless they are illegal Mexican immigrants. Well,OK, maybe during a parade!!!!

Posted by: A Mom Location: Temple on Mar 28, 2008 at 06:34 PM
Oh, by the way Me from Waco, please turn off your cap locks, it will make your so brilliant posts easier to read. :)

Posted by: me2 Location: waco on Mar 28, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Geez.... at least "A Mom" has a grasp of the English language and more importantly knows how to turn off the caps lock! Please note that she also said "most" not all! I saw 2 trucks today with passengers in the back and not one honky in the bunch! It was raining/drizzling as well! Not too safe and not too smart but im sure they made it to the taco stand safely!

Posted by: me Location: WACO on Mar 28, 2008 at 03:21 PM
"A MOM" THERE IS A DIFFRENCE..YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE RACE AS IF HISPANICS ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO MAKE BAD DECISIONS. SO REST YOURSELF ASURE THAT YOU ARE PREJUDICE.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Leave os ileagle imigrants aloonee/

Posted by: p on Mar 28, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Anyone notice this is the same county/town with the obese woman and the toddler - Hildago/La Joya? Not sure why that stood out...

Posted by: citizen Location: centex on Mar 28, 2008 at 08:31 AM
The driver ran off and officials say "alleged illegals"? Yeah right.

Posted by: A Mom Location: Temple on Mar 28, 2008 at 07:19 AM
For all of those that blasted me, saying I was "playing the race card" when I said that most of the people I see in my area riding in a truck bed were Mexicans, alot with small children in back that would make me cringe when I saw those kids back there..... I REST MY CASE.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 28, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Well, I posted my opinion of illegals on the Migrant Worker Shortage story yesterday. But, I wonder who many of these ppl where coming over here to pick produce from the fields?? lol

Posted by: TEXASLEGAL on Mar 27, 2008 at 04:24 PM
While your Governor Perry is spending 10 million on the mansion, we are being invaded. The people of Texas really need to hound Good hair Perry about the illegal situation. Law enforcement and attrition do work.

Posted by: MRS REED Location: waco on Mar 27, 2008 at 12:14 PM
How is that even possible 25 people in a pickup? Once again where was the border patrol?And I was told before that it is some kind on war going on at the border between illegal, drug smugglers, and the police is that true?

Posted by: Reality Check Location: Whack em Waco on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Alleged illegals? Didn't one of these law enforcement officials check ID's? 25 people in a pickup truck? Wouldn't that look a bit suspicious? Oh yeah, I forgot, those officials are paid to look the other way...

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