Eight killed after car plows into 18 pedestrians in Brownsville, Texas; alleged driver charged
Written by ABC Audio ALL RIGHTS RESERVED on May 8, 2023
(BROWNSVILLE, Texas) — Eight people were killed and 10 others were injured when a car plowed into 18 pedestrians who were waiting at a bus stop in Brownsville, Texas, police said.
The crash occurred at 8:29 a.m. Sunday near the Ozanam Center, according to Brownsville police. Some of the victims struck by the gray Range Rover were migrants under the care of Border Patrol, according to Brownsville police spokesman Martin Sandoval. Some victims were from Venezuela, Brownsville Police Chief Felix Sauceda said.
The SUV ran a red light, lost control and flipped on its side, Sauceda said at a news conference Monday.
The driver, 34-year-old George Alvarez, allegedly tried to flee the scene but was stopped by others, the chief said.
Alvarez, who has an “extensive rap sheet,” is in custody on charges including manslaughter, Sauceda said.
The FBI is working to determine if the crash was an intentional act and, if so, whether there was a domestic violent extremist motive behind it, law enforcement sources told ABC News on Sunday. The FBI is supporting local and state investigators, and is not the lead agency in the investigation.
At this point, investigators have not reached any conclusion about whether the crash was a deliberate act targeting the victims because of their perceived immigration status or an accident, the sources said.
Investigators have not commented on a possible motive or whether the crash was intentional.
“Secretary Mayorkas has been briefed on the tragic situation in Brownsville and has reached out to local leaders to offer condolences and the full support of the Department,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement.
The American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement Sunday, “We grieve for the victims in Brownsville, Texas, who were run over outside a migrant shelter where people from around the world are seeking asylum and safety.”
The ACLU added, “We understand the motive is still under investigation. This horrific event comes after weeks of escalating anti-immigrant policy-making by Texas politicians and while the Biden administration considers imposing a new asylum ban aimed at deterring, rather than welcoming, migrants seeking protection.”
ABC News’ Pierre Thomas, Jack Date, Luke Barr, Alexander Mallin and Josh Margolin contributed to this report.
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