Illegals injured in Cascabel Road rollover

Published: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 3:48 PM CST
Chris Dabovich/San Pedro Valley News-Sun

Thirteen illegal immigrants hidden in the bed of a pickup truck were injured Tuesday morning when the vehicle rolled over on Cascabel Road, Cochise County Sheriff's Office reported.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Carol Capas said the truck rolled three times at milepost 17.5 of Cascabel Road north of Benson. Four passengers were flown to University Medical Center in Tucson, five were transported by ambulance to Benson Hospital and U.S. Border Patrol agents transported four others to Benson Hospital, said Capas.

She said deputies responded to the scene after Border Patrol agents reported the crash at 8:20 a.m. She said the truck driver and a passenger fled the scene on foot. They had not been located as of 12:35 p.m.

Cause of the crash is attributed to speed and road conditions, said Capas. A winter storm left snow throughout the San Pedro Valley Tuesday morning, making for icy road conditions in several areas of Cochise County.

Investigation continues, said Capas.

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