MCALLEN.- George Alvareza 35-year-old driver, was found guilty of intoxication manslaughter by a Cameron County jury after causing the death of eight people and seriously injuring twelve others in a tragic accident that occurred in Brownsville, Texas.
The conviction comes more than a year after the fatal incident in front of a migrant shelter, located on the border between the United States and Mexico.
The accident occurred on the morning of May 7, 2023, when Alvarez was driving a pickup truck at high speed and ran a red light. He lost control of the vehicle, which overturned and crashed into a bus stop crowded with migrants waiting for transportation to return to downtown Brownsville after spending the night at the Ozanam Center shelter.
The victims, all men and several of them from Venezuela, were surprised by the out-of-control vehicle. Six died at the scene and two more died in hospital from their injuries. The injured people were taken to local hospitals, some in critical condition. According to witnesses, Alvarez tried to flee the scene after the accident, but was detained by several passersby until the authorities arrived.
The trial
During the trial, prosecutors presented overwhelming evidence showing that Alvarez was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time of the accident. Although the defendant admitted to using cocaine, he maintained that he had done so several days before the incident. However, toxicology tests and expert testimony contradicted his statements, indicating significant levels of intoxication.
The local newspaper, the Brownsville Herald, reported that the jury was quick to deliberate and reach a guilty verdict on all eight counts of intoxication manslaughter due to the overwhelming evidence presented.
The tragedy shocked the community of Brownsville, a city accustomed to the influx of migrants seeking to cross the border in search of better opportunities. The Ozanam Center shelter, where the accident occurred, has long been a refuge for those seeking asylum or in transit to other destinations in the United States.
A representative of the shelter expressed grief and solidarity with the families of the victims, noting that this incident underscores the need for greater security measures and support for vulnerable migrants in the region.
Source: With information from AP
