5 Charged in ‘Smuggling Scheme’ After Fatal SUV Crash in Texas

Authorities say five people have been charged in a “smuggling scheme” following a deadly crash involving an SUV fleeing Border Patrol agents and sheriff’s deputies in South Texas.

In Del Rio Tuesday, Federal prosecutors announced the charges in connection to the crash that killed at least five people on Sunday, June 17, 2018.

U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped three vehicles for an immigration inspection – a 2013 Tahoe, a 2007 Suburban, and a 2008 Tahoe – as the vehicles traveled in a convoy between El Indio and Carrizo Springs, Texas. The 2013 Tahoe, driven by 55-year-old Mexican citizen Marcial Gomez Santana, yielded to agents, while the other two vehicles led Border Patrol agents and Dimmit County Sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase.

During the chase, the driver of the 2007 Suburban, 20-year-old Jorge Luis Monsivais Jr. of Eagle Pass, Texas, crashed his SUV as he entered the town of Big Wells, Texas.

According to a federal criminal complaint, the SUV was traveling with 13 suspected undocumented immigrants, including one juvenile, during the time of the crash. Investigators say Monsivais was traveling more than 100 mph on Texas Highway 85, before losing control and overturning the vehicle.

Most of the occupants were thrown out of the vehicle during the crash.

Four of the passengers riding in the SUV died at the scene, while nine were rushed to a hospital for medical care. One died on the way to the hospital. Currently, seven remain hospitalized, including the juvenile, while one was taken into U.S. Border Patrol agents following medical care.

Meanwhile, the 2008 Tahoe continued to evade law enforcement before purposefully coming to a stop. As agents and deputies approached, several people attempted to flee on foot. U.S. Border Patrol agents detained the driver, a 17-year-old juvenile, and captured ten suspected illegal aliens in the area. The driver of the Tahoe has not been identified.

In addition to Monsivais, the criminal complaint charges the driver of the 2013 Tahoe, Santana; and occupants, 45-year-old Mexican citizen Mariela Reyna; Marcial’s son, 21-year-old Rudy Gomez of Hockley, Texas; and, Marcial’s daughter, 19-year-old Johana Gomez of Houston, Texas, as conspirators in the smuggling venture. All five charged in the federal criminal complaint remain in custody. The juvenile driver of the 2008 Tahoe remains in custody with Dimmit County authorities.

Prosecutors said Tuesday that nearly two dozen immigrants were involved in the smuggling scheme.

Of the 23 undocumented immigrants involved, 21 are Mexican nationals and two are Honduran nationals. Currently, six of the 23 migrants are being held on federal complains as material witnesses. No other federal charges have been filed.