http://www.wsoctv.com/news/10762655/det ... 0201162007

POSTED: 2:31 pm EST January 16, 2007

A federal immigration spokesman says a minivan that crashed on Interstate 40 in Oklahoma on Sunday was carrying illegal immigrants being smuggled into the U.S.

Seven of the 12 people in the van -- which was heading to North Carolina -- died in the crash after the van skidded on ice and crossed the median, then was hit head-on by a tractor-trailer rig.

Eight of the 12 are from Mexico, one from Durham, and one from Detroit. The homes of the other two were not known. Each of the 12 are described as Hispanic.

The five survivors were hospitalized. Three have been released with at least one arrested by federal agents.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says Miguel Marquez-Vargas was driving the van that Rusnok says was being used to smuggle the passengers into the United States. Marquez-Vargas was one of the seven killed.

Immigration officials say the van was traveling a common route used by smugglers.