Deadly crash at Texas border town shelter leaves eight dead, dozens injured

The devastating event, which took place on Sunday, resulted in the loss of eight lives, including several immigrants, and left nearly a dozen people injured. Local authorities in Brownsville, Texas, received a distress call at approximately 8:30 am CT, reporting that a Land Rover had struck multiple individuals waiting at a bus stop across from the Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, a nonprofit organization aiding the homeless and migrants. At present, it remains uncertain whether the collision was deliberate or accidental.

Upon reaching the scene, law enforcement discovered seven fatalities, while ten injured individuals were promptly transported to nearby hospitals. Another person succumbed to their injuries later in the day, raising the death toll to eight.

According to Martin Sandoval, a spokesperson for the Brownsville Police, it has been observed that among the deceased are several migrants, and efforts are underway in collaboration with Border Patrol to verify their identities. The FBI has also joined the investigation to provide assistance.

“Now, we don’t know the actual cause of the accident. Like I said, it could be three different things. One, he could be intoxication. Two, it could be just an accidental one or three, it could be intentional,” Sandoval said during a news conference on Sunday,

Sandoval confirmed that the driver, who is of Hispanic descent, received medical attention and has been arrested on charges of reckless driving.

He further mentioned the driver's uncooperative behavior with law enforcement, as he has provided multiple names, necessitating fingerprinting to establish his true identity, which requires additional time.

It is important to note that the shelter in question has been accommodating immigrants awaiting more permanent housing arrangements. Brownsville, situated on the southern border of Texas, lies just across the Rio Grande River. As per the 2022 census, the city boasts a population that is predominantly Hispanic or Latino, accounting for nearly 95% of its residents. (ILKHA)