Smuggler Accident near Wellton

Gaby Gonzalez, Reporter 3/4/2007
KSWT News Channel 13 Yuma

Border Patrol says, it’s yet another case of a desperate smuggler with no regard for human life.

A Wellton Border Patrol agent came across this overturned white Chevy Suburban this afternoon. “This is really just another case of a smuggler, whether being pursued or not, in this case not, driving erratically with his load at stake, in this case twenty-one people,” says Lloyd Easterling, U.S. Border Patrol.

No one died but one adult male was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center with head injuries. Border Patrol says all twenty-one people appear to be Mexican nationals—the smuggler may be among them. “If we are able to find out who the smuggler is through our investigation then he or she is subject to alien smuggling charges and if they’re an illegal, they’re subject to those charges as well,” says Easterling.