Truck crash in southern Mexico leaves 53 migrants dead, 54 injured

A cargo truck loaded with Central American migrants rolled over and crashed into a pedestrian bridge in southern Mexico December 9, killing at least 53 people and injuring dozens more, authorities said. About 21 of the injured had serious wounds and were taken to local hospitals, while at least three of the injured were listed in critical condition.

The crash occurred on a highway leading toward the Chiapas state capital. According to news reports at the time, the truck had been previously used as a closed freight module of the kind used to transport perishable goods. The container was smashed open by the force of the impact. It was unclear if the driver survived.

Additional reports say the victims appeared to be immigrants from Central America, adding their nationalities had not yet been confirmed. One official reported that some of the survivors said they were from the neighboring country of Guatemala.

It was one of the worst single-day death tolls for migrants in Mexico since the 2010 massacre of 72 migrants by the Zetas drug cartel in the northern state of Tamaulipas, according to the Associated Press.

Living on the crossroads

The Rio Grande Valley is a major north-south crossroads for 18-wheeler and tractor-trailer traffic. The effects of any mistakes or negligence on the part of a truck driver or trucking company are greatly magnified because of the sheer weight and volume of the loaded vehicle.

1. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys are experienced in handling cases involving wrecks caused by local and out-of-town truckers, including those coming from Mexico. Our team of professionals, in partnership with a network of associated attorneys, serve as advocates on behalf of injured victims. We tirelessly work to uncover the precise causes of a wreck, get a clear assessment of the injuries, and present a strong case for full and fair compensation.

What we do

When J. Gonzalez and our team of attorneys investigate a trucking accident, we uncover the key facts of the case, including:

• Neglect in providing drivers with safety training
• A truck driver using a cell phone at the time of a crash
• A driver on the road for more hours than is legally allowed
• Speeding, or changing lanes without signaling
• A truck driver under the influence of legal, or illegal, drugs at the time of the accident
• Drivers from the U.S., Mexico, or Canada who are underqualified
• Trucks not properly inspected

Call J. Gonzalez today

18-wheeler and tractor-trailer accidents require a specialized knowledge in federal and state laws. J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys have more than two decades of experience handling these types of cases and we work with some of the best accident experts to thoroughly reconstruct and investigate the cause of the crash and who was responsible.

If you’ve been in an accident involving a truck, contact J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys for a free consultation at:

Brownsville: (956) 420-7363

McAllen: (956) 420-7328

Rio Grande: (956) 420-6484

Weslaco: (956) 420-7363

Source: Valley Central