The suspected driver of a truck in San Antonio, Texas, where 53 migrants died from heat stroke was unaware that the air conditioner was not working, said an informed source.
US Police officers found 53 bodies inside an abandoned lorry in San Antonio, Texas, earlier this week. Around 20 survivors, including kids, are still receiving medical care after suffering burns and dehydration.
The lorry’s driver, identified as Homero Zamorano, was reportedly discovered hiding close to the truck after the incident. However, he declared he did not know the air condition system had stopped working, according to documents submitted in federal court.
So far, four people had been accused in what authorities described as the bloodiest case of human trafficking in US history. One suspect is a Texan.
Mr. Zamorano, 45, and the suspected conspirator Christian Martnez, 28, reportedly exchanged text conversations detailing the smuggling operation before and after the truck was found in sweltering conditions.
Officials were informed by a confidential government insider working for Texas police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement that they had communicated and exchanged text messages after the murders were announced.
In accordance with court records, Mr. Martez allegedly told the informant: “The driver was unaware the air conditioning unit stopped working and was the reason why the individuals died.”
Mr. Zamorano was discovered hiding in some bushes near the lorry. Mexican officials later said he initially attempted to pose as one of the survivors.
He was captured on surveillance footage when driving the vehicle past a US Border Patrol checkpoint in Laredo, Texas, on Monday.
If found guilty of conspiracy and smuggling charges, both Mr. Zamorano and Mr. Martnez would be subject to the death penalty.
Juan Claudio D’Luna-Méndez and Francisco D’Luna-Bilbao, two additional men who are allegedly implicated in the smuggling case, have been charged with possessing firearms and entering the US illegally. Both have Mexican nationality.
While San Antonio prosecutors estimate there were 64 people inside the lorry, Mexican police claim there were a total of 67 migrants there.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office said six out of 53 victims have been “conclusively identified” as of Friday. There have also been 42 “possible identifications” but five are yet unknown.
Authorities stated that 27 Mexican citizens, 14 Hondurans, 7 Guatemalans, and 2 Salvadorans were among the victims.
