EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – A West Texas man is facing multiple federal charges after allegedly crashing a pickup carrying unauthorized migrants into a tree.
The crash near Carrizo Springs, Texas, took place as Robert Olague Jr. allegedly failed to yield when U.S. Border Patrol agents tried to stop a vehicle they suspected was involved in migrant smuggling, court documents show.
The Ridgeline driven by Olague sped up and began evasive maneuvers as the Border Patrol unit turned on its emergency lights. The driver lost control and the vehicle came to a stop after striking a tree. A criminal complaint alleges Olague exited the driver’s side of the pickup following impact and ran into the bush.
The agents apprehended Olague a short distance from the disabled vehicle and took him into custody. Four other individuals were in the Ridgeline, all citizens of Mexico illegally present in the United States, the complaint alleges.
It’s not clear if any of the migrants were hurt or what was the extent of their injuries. Nonetheless, a federal grand jury in Del Rio, Texas, on Wednesday charged Olague with conspiracy, transporting illegal aliens and placing lives in jeopardy in connection with the Jan. 26 crash.
Carrizo Springs is about 100 miles southwest of San Antonio and 30 miles east of the Mexican border.
