2021 Imperial County car crash
On March 2, 2021, an SUV carrying 25 people collided with a semi-trailer truck in Imperial County, California, U.S., killing 13 people. Investigators said the SUV had entered the United States from Mexico through a hole in a border fence and was smuggling migrants at the time of the crash.
  Crash site Crash site (southern California)  Crash site Crash site (California)  Crash site Crash site (the United States) | |
| Date | March 2, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Time | ~6:15 a.m. PST[1] |
| Location | Imperial County, California, U.S. |
| Deaths | 13 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 13 |
Background
The Ford Expedition, as found at the crash site, had the middle and rear seats removed, and could only safely seat six people despite carrying 25 people.[2]
Crash
In the early morning of March 2, 2021, a red 1997 Ford Expedition carrying 25 passengers and originating from Mexico, having entered the United States through a hole in the border fence,[3] was traveling westbound on Norrish Road in Imperial County, California. It entered an intersection, where a semi-trailer truck travelling north on the other road, State Route 115, crashed into the side of it, killing 13 people and injuring 13.[1] According to authorities, the SUV ran the stop sign and drove in the path of the truck.[3] The occupants of the SUV entered the United States in an unauthorized manner.[4] The truck was carrying gravel cargo, and was owned by a company called Haven & Sons.[5]
Aftermath
The accident closed all lanes in both directions of SR-115.[6] The National Transportation Safety Board announced an investigation into the crash.[7] Authorities in California are working with the Mexican consulate to determine who was in the vehicle and to notify next of kin.[1] The US Department of Homeland Security believes that it was part of an illegal migrant smuggling operation.[3][8] In March 2023, Jose Cruz Noguez pled guilty to a charge of conspiracy to bring in undocumented migrants and three counts of bringing in undocumented migrants for financial gain in connection with the crash.[9] On July 13, 2023, Noguez was sentenced to 15 years in prison.[10]
References
- Toropin, Konstantin; Chan, Stella; Levenson, Eric; Meeks, Alexandra (March 3, 2021). "More than a dozen dead in crash involving SUV and semitruck in California near US-Mexico border". CNN. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- Hauck, Grace; Atagi, Colin; Hayes, Christal (March 2, 2021). "'Very sad': At least 13 dead after truck slams into SUV carrying 25 near U.S.-Mexico border". USA Today. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- Musumeci, Natalie (March 3, 2021). "SUV in deadly California wreck came through hole in border fence". New York Post. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- "After deadly Imperial County crash, what about the hole in the border fence? - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- Brown, Richard Montenegro (March 2, 2021). "'Gruesome' Holtville Wreck Tied to Smuggling: Report". Calexico Chronicle. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- Caltrans San Diego [@SDCaltrans] (March 2, 2021). "#ImperialValley All lanes of NB & SB SR-115 at Norrish Rd closed due to a traffic collision" (Tweet). Retrieved March 2, 2021 – via Twitter.
- Shepardson, David (March 2, 2021). Adler, Leslie (ed.). "U.S. safety board to probe California highway crash that killed 13". Reuters. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- "Suspected migrant smuggler charged in connection with Imperial County crash that killed 13". KTLA. March 31, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
- Morales, Julio (March 22, 2023). "Mexicali Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Deadly Holtville Crash". Calexico Chronicle. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
- https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2023-07-13/organizer-sentenced-to-15-years-for-smuggling-attempt-that-led-to-13-dead-in-car-crash