Minivan with 13 flips over on I-8

[HARDCORE]

Smuggling operation suspected; 2 hurt

By Alex Roth
STAFF WRITER [San Diego Union Tribune]

February 1, 2004


A minivan carrying 13 people, including a suspected immigrant smuggler, flipped over on Interstate 8 near Blossom Valley yesterday, sending passengers flying into the road. At least two people were seriously injured, authorities said.

All of the passengers were believed to be illegal immigrants, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said. Their ages ranged from 14 to 38.

The 1994 Mercury Villager was heading west near the Dunbar Lane exit shortly after noon when it crossed into the center divide and flipped over several times.

The CHP was unsure what caused the driver to lose control of the van. Authorities weren't pursuing it, and witnesses said it was traveling at a normal speed, CHP spokesman Brian Pennings said.

The occupants were ejected, with shoes, socks, food and jewelry scattered on the road.

"There were numerous people lying out in the center divide," Pennings said.

The driver, a 27-year-old man from Mexico, and another passenger, whom authorities identified as a smuggler, ran away, but CHP officers arrested both men near Old Highway 80 about half a mile from the scene, Pennings said.

Both were hospitalized and were expected to be arrested, the spokesman said.

Pennings said all the passengers, with at least two suffering "major" injuries, were taken to hospitals. No other information about their conditions could be obtained yesterday.

The crash snarled traffic for about an hour. Both sides of the freeway closed at one point so a medical helicopter could land.

The CHP and the U.S. Border Patrol were investigating, Pennings said

[David]

Unfortunately this kind of thing happens all the time around here

[travisab1]

It doesn't happen often enough!!!

Travis

[39mto39g]

Should have put them all back in the van and toed it back accross the border, Not use our medical resourses.
One other alternitive, shoot them all first then toe it back.

Ron