8 people die in tractor trailer found in San Antonio Walmart Parking lot.

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/8-found-dead-in-trailer-11308288.php

 

A request for water led to the discovery of eight bodies inside a tractor-trailer at a Southwest Side Walmart parking lot in what police are calling a "horrific tragedy." The driver of the truck has been identified.

"We're looking at a human-trafficking crime this evening," said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus in a video posted on the department's Facebook page. "Homeland Security is working with us."

The eight dead are believed to have died as a result of heat exposure/asphyxiation, according to an SAPD press release, but an official cause of death will be determined by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office.

Officials said about 30 more people were found inside the truck at 8535 S. Interstate 35 and Highway 16 and transferred to area hospitals for treatment.

The driver of the truck, identified as James Bradley by several sources, was immediately detained by police and faces state and federal charge.

"These people were in the trailer without any water," said San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood. "Looking at a lot of heat stroke, a lot of dehydration."

Engine 25 arrived at 12:26 a.m., Hood said, and firefighters started extricating patients out of the back of a semi-truck. The air cnditioning was not working.

"Our paramedics and firefighters found that each patient had heart rates over about 130 beats per minute and were very hot to the touch," Hood said.

Police did not know the victims' country of origin, destination, or ages of the deceased or injured, according the press release.

University Hospital and SAMMC received 17 people with life-threatening injuries, police said, and 13 victims were taken to five other area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

Four males, and one female are at University Hospital. At least one person was being admitted into ICU, a hospital representative said.

The victims included adults and at least two children. The two youngest victims who are among the injured are 15 years old, police said.

Jason Runyen, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said San Antonio reached 100 degrees, Saturday's high, at around 6 p.m. While it is not known how long the tractor-trailer had been in the parking lot, the temperature inside the truck would have climbed rapidly, he said.

"Most of the heating that would occur once someone is inside of a vehicle that doesn't have AC would occur in the first 30 minutes of them being in there," Runyen said. "For instance, if there was an outside air temperature of only 80 degrees within about 30 minutes the inside air temperate of a vehicle would be almost 115 degrees.

McManus said a check of the video from the store showed that a number of vehicles arrived at the parking lot and picked up a lot of people who were in that trailer who had survived the trip.

Mike Pyle and Tom Kolton of Pyle Transportation said Bradley, the driver of the truck, is an owner-operator who owns his own semi but is authorized to haul under the Pyle name.

"It's our trailer, but it's his truck," Mike Pyle said.

Bradley was not authorized to be hauling anything in Texas when the immigrants were discovered, Pyle and Kolton said.

"We haven't been able to get ahold of him," Kolton said of Bradley, and the authorities have yet to contact either man about the incident.

Both Pyle and Kolton said they were shocked by the news of the deaths.

"This is terrible," Pyle said in reference to the victims.

Around 6:30 a.m. Sunday, the tractor-trailer was still parked adjacent to Walmart, along with a hearse, with several police cars positioned nearby. A large portion of the parking lot remained cordoned off by police tape as detectives gathered evidence.

Around 7 a.m. Sunday, SAPD's Eagle helicopter arrived on scene, repeatedly circling over the Walmart parking lot and the adjacent wooded area for around 20 minutes. Police said in an earlier news conference that they conducted a sweep of the woods to search for any potential victims who may have escaped the tractor trailer, and that they would conduct a secondary sweep at daylight.

Around 10 a.m., the tractor-trailer was towed from the scene. A few police cars remained, guarding a small area still cordoned off by police tape.

Throughout the morning, several onlookers stop to examine the scene, taking pictures and commenting on the horrific deaths.

Richard L. Durbin Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, took aim at those responsible for the incident.

"San Antonio firefighters and police responded to a horrific scene this morning on the Southwest Side of town. They discovered an alien smuggling venture gone horribly wrong. Eight immigrants were found dead. At least twenty more were in serious condition. All were victims of ruthless human smugglers indifferent to the well-being of their fragile cargo," said Durbin. "The South Texas heat is punishing this time of year. These people were helpless in the hands of their transporters. Imagine their suffering, trapped in a stifling trailer in 100-plus degree heat. ... We will work with the Homeland Security Investigations and the local responders to identify those who were responsible for this tragedy."

Border Patrol agents in Laredo have reported an increase in smuggling attempts in tractor-trailers in recent weeks, starting with the discovery of 44 people from Mexico and Guatemala discovered after police stopped an 18-wheeler on June 19 near one of the city's international bridges.

On July 7, agents found 72 people from Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador inside a locked trailer in the same part of town. The next day, they found 33 people from Mexico and Guatemala inside a trailer stopped at the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 35. In another incident last week, agents at the checkpoint found 16 people inside a locked trailer, according to a news release from Border Patrol.

"These criminal organizations view these individuals as mere commodities without regard for their safety," Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta said in a statement released last week. "The blatant disregard for human life will not be tolerated. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle these organizations and prosecute those responsible."

In one of the biggest smuggling tragedies in the country's history, 19 people died in 2003 after being abandoned in a trailer in Victoria. The driver of the truck was sentenced to life in prison, but that was overturned and he was later given a prison term of nearly 34 years.

Thomas Homan, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director, said as long as he leads the agency, "there will be an unwavering commitment to use law enforcement assets to put an end" to smuggling.

"By any standard, the horrific crime uncovered last night ranks as a stark reminder of why human smuggling networks must be pursued, caught and punished. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations works year-round to identify, dismantle, and disrupt the transnational criminal networks that smuggle people into and throughout the United States," Homan said. "These networks have repeatedly shown a reckless disregard for those they smuggle, as last night's case demonstrates. I personally worked on a tragic tractor-trailer case in Victoria, Texas, in 2003 in which 19 people were killed as a result of the smugglers' total indifference to the safety of those smuggled and to the law."

Pretty much baked to death.

[cyclone24 1,814]

Shouldn't have come.

 

Sorry.

[Djgb13 2,338]

Honestly it doesn't surprise me. San Antonio has TONS of illegal Mexicans. My taco truck guy got deported but snuck back across apparently. Against it but he makes a dam good taco so I let it slide. Always gave me a discount too lol

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

Baked to death..................

 

 

 

What do you serve with that?

[cyclone24 1,814]

Baked to death..................

 

 

 

What do you serve with that?

It was Mexican....so it was probably ready and on the table within 6 minutes.

 

"Careful...hot plate"

[shotsup 832]

This is not as good as the Best Buy parking lot story/ thread.

[Sho Nuff 719]

It was Mexican....so it was probably ready and on the table within 6 minutes.

 

"Careful...hot plate"

:spittake:

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

If they ship the 8 corpses back to Mexico do those count as deportation?

[tubby_mcgee 686]

I wonder how long til someone blames Trump.

[12th Man 884]

Meh. 8 less illegals we have to support.

[MDC 5,891]

Meh. 8 less illegals we have to support.

They'll keep coming until we go hard after the employers.

[IGotWorms 3,315]

I hope RaiderHater's okay

 

 

 

 

Alsonotreally

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,584]

I hope RaiderHater's okay

 

 

 

 

Alsonotreally

 

why did you come back?

[cyclone24 1,814]

Guys guys guys lets be respectful.....we are talking about someones future landscapers and maids here.

 

Now someone has to go through the laborious process of finding a new Hispanic illegal to clean their house.

 

Think about the real victims in all this. Please.

[wiffleball 4,640]

I say we send the driver and all associated to Mexico for trial and punishment.

[cyclone24 1,814]

Reports are the truck had an iowa license plate.

Christ.

 

Fock em. Stay out.

[cyclone24 1,814]

The article here locally says they are looking at human trafficking. That would not be the same or is not viewed the same as an illegal coming here to work correct? I guess I really don't know what the distinction would be

[penultimatestraw 473]

Honestly it doesn't surprise me. San Antonio has TONS of illegal Mexicans. My taco truck guy got deported but snuck back across apparently. Against it but he makes a dam good taco so I let it slide. Always gave me a discount too lol

Guys guys guys lets be respectful.....we are talking about someones future landscapers and maids here.

 

Now someone has to go through the laborious process of finding a new Hispanic illegal to clean their house.

 

Think about the real victims in all this. Please.

They'll keep coming until we go hard after the employers.

And consumers stop using their services.

[IGotWorms 3,315]

The article here locally says they are looking at human trafficking. That would not be the same or is not viewed the same as an illegal coming here to work correct? I guess I really don't know what the distinction would be

Well trafficking a bunch of people across the border would probably suffice.

 

But usually that's tied to something more sinister, like trafficking women to sell into the trade or something.

[cyclone24 1,814]

Well trafficking a bunch of people across the border would probably suffice.

 

But usually that's tied to something more sinister, like trafficking women to sell into the trade or something.

Yeah sounds like it's a fine line. You could have instances where people thought they were coming here to work but in fact we're getting trafficked.

 

Had someone arguing that they were trafficked not smuggled. Just happened.... seems pretty early to make that determination already

[wiffleball 4,640]

re trafficking - these guys get paid to smuggle workers. oftentimes, those workers are set up for indentured servitude - never being able to get out from under an increasing debt.

 

traffickers - for whatever - really are the lowest of the low. start burning their headless bodies on pikes at the border and they might get the idea.

[IGotWorms 3,315]

Shouldn't have come.

 

Sorry.

You guys are horrible people.

 

You know that, right?

 

Just want to make sure we're on the same page here.

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,584]

You guys are horrible people.

 

You know that, right?

 

Just want to make sure we're on the same page here.

 

right we should open borders to all, imagine there's no countries

 

that and your hot sauce

[cyclone24 1,814]

You guys are horrible people.

 

You know that, right?

 

Just want to make sure we're on the same page here.

I have zero sympathy for people who don't obey our laws, essentially cut in front of law abiding immigrants to come here and leech off my tax dollars.

Zero.

[IGotWorms 3,315]

Wretched people.

 

The fellow HUMANS died a horrible death in atrocious conditions. Probably fleeing drug violence back home or just trying to get enough money that their families can eat. And all you can think about is yourself.

 

Honestly you are the worst of the worst

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,584]

Wretched people.

 

The fellow HUMANS died a horrible death in atrocious conditions. Probably fleeing drug violence back home or just trying to get enough money that their families can eat. And all you can think about is yourself.

 

Honestly you are the worst of the worst

You should send them money. They know the risk thousands if not tens of thousands die annually illegal crossing the border

 

Now guess who pays for all the rest of the illegals in the trailers healthcare while they work under the table and send all the money back to Mexico. For the 8 that died another 1000 made it thru

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,584]

at the same time illegals killed at least 8 drink driving with no penalty

[12th Man 884]

Wretched people.

 

The fellow HUMANS died a horrible death in atrocious conditions. Probably fleeing drug violence back home or just trying to get enough money that their families can eat. And all you can think about is yourself.

 

Honestly you are the worst of the worst

Cry me a river.

[IGotWorms 3,315]

You should send them money. They know the risk thousands if not tens of thousands die annually illegal crossing the border

 

Now guess who pays for all the rest of the illegals in the trailers healthcare while they work under the table and send all the money back to Mexico. For the 8 that died another 1000 made it thru

You can be against illegal immigration and still feel bad when 8 of your fellow humans die this kind of horrific death.

 

You're just a sh1tty person. Like a REALLY sh1tty one

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,584]

You can be against illegal immigration and still feel bad when 8 of your fellow humans die this kind of horrific death.

 

You're just a sh1tty person. Like a REALLY sh1tty one

 

wah there isn't enough time in this world to cry over people who die in the world each day, you may pretend to feel sad or maybe you do whatever, I read the article and think sucks for them and go about my life, I read about Cornell or Chester and think what a couple of losers and move on

[BunnysBastatrds 1,916]

Nobody deserves to reach a better life and die that way.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

 

wah there isn't enough time in this world to cry over people who die in the world each day, you may pretend to feel sad or maybe you do whatever, I read the article and think sucks for them and go about my life, I read about Cornell or Chester and think what a couple of losers and move on

There is a far cry between crying over it and saying Fock em.

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,584]

There is a far cry between crying over it and saying Fock em.

Never said Fock em just said don't care

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

Never said Fock em just said don't care

Someone did.

 

I mean, I get that we have to control immigration. I do.

 

But if I were a man in Mexico, and there was no opportunity for me to provide a life for my wife and kids, I'd do what it takes to get them to America too. Because that's what a man does. They provide. No matter what.

 

They aren't scum. Most aren't criminals. They just want a better life.

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,584]

Someone did.

 

I mean, I get that we have to control immigration. I do.

 

But if I were a man in Mexico, and there was no opportunity for me to provide a life for my wife and kids, I'd do what it takes to get them to America too. Because that's what a man does. They provide. No matter what.

 

They aren't scum. Most aren't criminals. They just want a better life.

That's sexist

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

That's sexist

Not really. The same would be true of a single mother. You do what you must in this life.

 

And yeah. It is in our best interest to stop it. But that doesn't mean we have to be completely insensitive about it.

 

What we SHOULD do is hammer the employers who enable the immigration. That would protect our interests, and protect these people from being exploited by coyotes and traffickers to boot.

[cyclone24 1,814]

Someone did.

 

I mean, I get that we have to control immigration. I do.

 

But if I were a man in Mexico, and there was no opportunity for me to provide a life for my wife and kids, I'd do what it takes to get them to America too. Because that's what a man does. They provide. No matter what.

 

They aren't scum. Most aren't criminals. They just want a better life.

Fantastic. Fill out the forms and do it legally like you are supposed to.

 

If I go into a grocery store and steal a bunch of food because I'm poor and my family is starving guess what. I'm still going to jail if I get caught.

[edjr 5,564]

With all that fried Messican, I'd imaging the entire city had diarrhea

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

Fantastic. Fill out the forms and do it legally like you are supposed to.

 

If I go into a grocery store and steal a bunch of food because I'm poor and my family is starving guess what. I'm still going to jail if I get caught.

Legally isn't an option and you know it.

 

And if you stole food to feed your starving children, yes, you would face the consequences. And someone who said "Fock him" would be a pr!ck.

[cyclone24 1,814]

Legally isn't an option and you know it.

And if you stole food to feed your starving children, yes, you would face the consequences. And someone who said "Fock him" would be a pr!ck.

 

So be it. I don't subscribe to the idea that because legally takes too long, it's too difficult, or because "I have a good reason" is a get out of jail free card to come here and break our laws.

 

Too god damned bad.