Suspected smuggler arrested in deaths of 2 immigrants

Reported by: Associated Press
Last Update: 8:36 pm

A Mexican man has been arrested in the deaths of two illegal immigrants who were killed when the vehicle they were in rolled over in southern Arizona.

Francisco Javier Morquecho-Valdez, 19, was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol shortly after authorities say he fled the scene of the Sunday crash.

Authorities say Morquecho admitted he was the driver of a pickup truck carrying 11 illegal immigrants from Mexico.

Some of the immigrants said they crossed into the U.S. near Naco, Ariz. on Sunday, walked north through the desert and were picked up by Morquecho.

One man said he was to pay $2,500 as a smuggling fee with the final destination of New York.

Morquecho faces a charge of transporting illegal aliens for profit resulting in death and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine or both if convicted.

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