POSTED: Monday, February 11, 2013 - 5:37pm
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - 9:35am
Penitas, Tx (News Center 23) — Emergency crews and Texas DPS troopers filled up several ambulances with people after a four passenger car crashed on Expressway 83 just after 9:00 a.m..
There were seven people in the car, none of them walking away unscathed.
"Including the driver, there are several minor injuries," said Trooper Maria Hernandez, TX DPS.
DPS troopers said evidence from the scene points in one direction, a failed attempt at human smuggling.
"Apparently the trooper attempted to make a traffic stop for failure to yield right of way. The vehicle, or the driver, then attempted to flee the scene," said Trooper Hernandez.
DPS chased the driver from Mission all the way to Penitas. But what actually brought the chase to an end was when the driver lost control and slammed into this palm tree.
Expressway 83 is a well known human smuggling corridor and Trooper Hernandez said these erratic drivers will do anything not to get caught.
"It is very dangerous, because you not only put yourself, but the people that are being smuggled into the us in danger, but you are also putting other people in danger, especially if it is a school zone or not, or high peak areas," said Hernandez.
DPS troopers are still trying to identify everyone from inside the vehicle. The immigrants come the Latin America and China.
ICE plans on charging the driver with human smuggling and Trooper Hernandez said DPS will charge the driver with evading arrest on foot and with a motor vehicle, and assault with a motor vehicle.