8 Killed in Suspected Human Smuggling Crash in Southwest Texas

ZAVALA COUNTY (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Eight people were killed when a suspected human smuggler crashed head on into an oncoming car during a police chase in Southwest Texas early Wednesday morning.

The Zavala County Sheriff’s Office said the 21-year-old Houston native was carrying five migrants, when the car passed a semi truck in a no-passing zone.

The driver collided with another Chevy SUV which burst into flames. Everyone in both vehicles was killed.

The driver and passenger in the Chevy SUV were identified as 67-year-old Jose Lerma and 65-year-old Isabel Lerma from Georgia.

The crash happened near Batesville, about 80 miles southwest of San Antonio.

NEW: 11/8, @TxDPS is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on US 57 near Batesville. The driver in a Honda passenger car from Houston suspected of human smuggling was evading from Zavala COSO when the driver passed an 18-wheeler in a no-passing zone. The driver drove head-on… pic.twitter.com/KdxZ7wmvkk
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) November 8, 2023

Advocates have longed pushed for the banning of police chases involving human smuggling attempts due to these types of crashes.

In June of 2022, four migrants were killed in a smuggling attempt as the result of a wreck during a police chase in Encinal, about 80 miles southeast of the Batesvile crash.