Horizon City teen hired through WhatsApp to smuggle migrants, paid $3,000

Update (October 16, 2024): Court documents newly obtained by ABC-7 reveal that the defendant, Joseph Anthony Maldonado, picked up six migrants near Penny's Diner on Airport Road in Santa Teresa the morning of October 4, 2024.

Troopers then surveilled Maldonado's Charger north on Pete V Domenici Memorial Highway and then on Artcraft Road.

The Troopers tried to stop the Charger on Artcraft, activating their patrol unit lights. Court documents state that Maldonado pulled his car over to the side of the road. Investigators say Maldonado then sped off and ran the red light at the Upper Valley intersection, slamming into another car.

Troopers identify the woman who died inside the other car as Wendy Rodriguez.

Court documents state that the group of migrants inside Maldonado's car consisted of five people from Mexico and one person from Guatemala. They were all turned over to Border Patrol after receiving medical treatment.

Maldonado later told investigators that someone had hired him through WhatsApp to transport the migrants, who Maldonado admitted he knew had entered the United States illegally. Maldonado told investigators he would receive $3,000 for the job, according to court documents.

Update (3:05 PM): Texas DPS officials say a 17-year-old Horizon City teen who was smuggling people into the U.S. is now charged with murder.

Texas DPS officials say Texas Highway Patrol Troopers were helping DPS Special Agents stop a red Dodge Charger that was driving on Artcraft Road. The car initially stopped, officials say, then sped off when agents tried to get closer. The car ran a red light, side swiped another car, then crashed into a second car at Artcraft Road and Upper Valley Road.

The driver and five migrants inside the car were treated at an area hospital for minor injuries. The woman driving the second car died at UMC. Officials are not yet identifying her, pending notification of her next of kin.

"The 17-year-old male from Horizon City, who was driving the red charger will be charged for murder, human smuggling and evading arrest with a vehicle," a Texas DPS spokesperson explained.

Officials have not yet identified the 17-year-old.

Update (9:27 AM): Fire officials say that two people suffered serious injuries and five others suffered minor injuries.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A multi-vehicle crash has left multiple injured in El Paso's Upper Valley, Friday morning.

According to TxDOT El Paso's X account, it happened at the intersection of Artcraft Rd. and Upper Valley Rd.

All eastbound lanes on Artcraft Rd. have been blocked off. The left-turn lane going west on Artcraft Rd. has also been closed.

They say four to five vehicles were involved.

This is a developing story.