Two illegal immigrants are killed and three are injured when speeding, stolen truck overturns

April 13, 2008

By Shar Porier
Herald/Review

SIERRA VISTA — An early morning accident today took the lives of two illegal immigrants and sent three to the hospital.

Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer Joy Craig said the single-vehicle wreck occurred at 7:45 a.m. on Highway 90 near High Knoll Road.

A stolen 1997 Dodge extended cab pickup truck was carrying 15 illegal immigrants, and some of them were in the bed of the truck covered with a tarpaulin to hide them. The truck rolled, causing the riders to be thrown from the truck bed. There may have also been a person who was thrown out of the truck’s back window, Craig said. The uninjured were taken into custody by the U.S. Border Patrol and interviewed to try to get details about the accident.

The truck was believed to have been stolen in Phoenix area.

The names of the dead have not been released yet, and the identities of the injured also were unavailable.

Carol Capas, Cochise County Sheriff’s Department public information officer, said the county had several units on scene along with volunteers of the Sheriff’s Assist Team to help with traffic control.

Craig added, “We don’t have all the details yet as to how the accident happened. But, a witness said the truck was speeding.â€