http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3624618
Launched: 03/21/2006 9:35 AM MST

Illegals involved in crashes, traffic stops, say authorities
By Kirk Mitchell
Denver Post Staff Writer

Four vehicles loaded with 42 suspected illegal immigrants were involved in separate accidents early today on highways in Eastern Colorado, authorities say. Two other vehicles were stopped on the Western Slope, with more suspected illegal immigrants inside.

None of the passengers were killed in any of the accidents and only a few people were injured in one crash, said Eric Wynn, spokesman for the Colorado State Patrol.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the process of arresting each of the suspected illegal immigrants, Wynn said.

At 6:35 a.m., a 1995 Ford Econoline carrying 16 people rolled on U.S. Highway 6 near Brush. No one was injured in the accident and all 16 occupants were taken into custody by immigration officials, Master Trooper Ron Watkins said.

At 7:11 a.m. on Interstate-70 near Seibert, a Chevy Suburban rolled with 10 occupants aboard.

At 8:03 a.m. on Interstate-76 near Brush a 1999 Chevy Suburban rolled with four occupants. Some of the passengers had minor injuries, but no one was taken to a hospital, Watkins said

At 8:19 a.m. on Interstate-76 near Brush, a 1998 GMC van with 12 occupants rolled. No one was injured, he said.

Wynn said that each of the cars were believed to be carrying illegal immigrants.

In addition, CSP officers stopped a 1995 Chevy Astro at 8:50 a.m. believed to be carrying 11 illegal immigrants on eastbound I-70 near Wolcott and a second 1995 Chevy Astro at 7:54 a.m. on I-70 near Glenwood Springs carrying 20 illegal immigrants, Wynn said.
On Monday, a sport utility vehicle carrying 17 people rolled on I-70 near Strasburg on Monday.

The series of accidents happened as a stream of illegal immigrants are entering the U.S., mostly from Mexico, at the beginning of the growing season, Wynn said.

That coupled with snowy, icy conditions resulted in multiple accidents, he said.

Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.