Ten people died after a van carrying approximately 30 migrants tipped over just south of the Brooks County community of Encino on Wednesday afternoon, according to Sgt. Nathan Brandley of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The van crashed against a utility pole at around 4 p.m. Wednesday after it attempted to turn off of Highway 281 onto Business 281 about a mile and a half south of Encino, approximately 8 miles from the Border Patrol checkpoint in Falfurrias.
According to Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez, the passengers were 27 men and three women. Those who died included one woman and nine men — three from Mexico; one from Guatemala and the rest from Honduras.
Martinez said the van, which he said was not involved in a pursuit, was top heavy before the driver attempted the turn.
They do not have the ages yet, but Sgt. Brandley said none were children. The driver, whose identity has not been revealed, died at the scene.
“They were traveling too fast, and they made a right turn and wasn’t able to obviously make the turn. They didn’t slow down to try to get on the FM road right here,” Sgt. Brandley said.
Brooks County sheriff’s deputies were assisting DPS, and Martínez said authorities believe the van was transporting migrants.
Twelve people were initially reported to be injured but that number later grew to 20, as authorities reported that several more people injured in the incident were transported to medical facilities in South Texas.
Eight were taken to McAllen Medical, four to Edinburg Regional in Edinburg, three to DHR in Edinburg, three to Spohn Kleberg in Kingsville and two to Spohn Shoreline in Corpus Christi, according to law enforcement.
Brandley said their conditions range from critical to serious.
Members of the U.S. Border Patrol tactical unit, known as BORTAC, were also on scene and rendered aid to crash victims.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the full version.
