Chase on Texas border that killed 8 puts high-speed pursuits in spotlight again

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The recent incident on the Texas border that resulted in the tragic death of eight individuals has once again drawn attention to the practice of high-speed pursuits in the region. In this particular case, a white Honda Civic was observed speeding down Highway 57, a rural two-lane road leading to the U.S.-Mexico border. The pursuit began when a Texas sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull over the vehicle, but it failed to stop, prompting a chase.

High-speed pursuits involving migrants and suspected smugglers have become alarmingly common in Texas. However, this pursuit ended in one of the deadliest outcomes in recent memory—a head-on collision that claimed the lives of eight people, including Honduran citizens and two residents of Georgia.

The wreckage at the crash site, near the small town of La Pryor, located approximately 100 miles west of San Antonio, serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with high-speed chases, especially given the ever-expanding presence of law enforcement at the border. In an effort to curb the flow of migrants and drugs, Texas has deployed hundreds of additional troopers in recent years.

This tragic incident has reignited concerns about the speed and duration of such pursuits, even when they result in injuries or fatalities. In January, U.S. Customs and Border Protection introduced a new policy aimed at enhancing safety during vehicle pursuits. However, some critics argue that these changes have not gone far enough.

David Stout, a county commissioner in El Paso, noted that in his border county alone, Texas troopers have engaged in nearly 500 high-speed pursuits this year, with over half of them exceeding speeds of 100 mph. The identities of the victims in the recent crash, including the 21-year-old Civic driver and five passengers, have yet to be released. The collision involved a Chevrolet Equinox, which also resulted in the tragic deaths of its occupants.

Details regarding the exact speeds reached during the pursuit remain unclear. The Texas Department of Public Safety, responsible for overseeing Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star border mission, is currently investigating the incident. Director Steve McCraw acknowledged that troopers have been involved in thousands of pursuits over the past two years but emphasized that pursuits can be terminated if they pose an unreasonable risk to the public or law enforcement officers. He also mentioned that police aircraft can be deployed to monitor fleeing vehicles, although this does not necessarily deter suspects from driving recklessly.

The issue of high-speed pursuits along the Texas border has been a subject of concern for civil rights groups. Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union and another organization filed a complaint with the U.S. Justice Department, citing 30 deaths and 71 injuries in pursuits involving state troopers during the initial 16 months of Governor Abbott’s border mission.

Pedro Rios of the American Friends Service Committee believes that vehicle pursuits should be prohibited entirely due to the potential risks they pose to migrants, law enforcement personnel, and bystanders. He argues that ending such pursuits is crucial for the safety of all parties involved.

The tragic crash in Texas serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of high-speed pursuits in border regions. While there are ongoing efforts to address the safety concerns associated with these pursuits, the challenges and risks persist, prompting a reevaluation of policies and practices in the interest of public safety.

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More about Border Pursuit Tragedy

• Texas Border Pursuit Tragedy
• High-Speed Pursuits in Texas
• Border Security and Law Enforcement
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection Policy
• Civil Rights Concerns About Pursuits
• Texas Department of Public Safety Investigation