LA SALLE, Texas — A Florida man is facing human smuggling charges after high-speed chase in South Texas. It happened on June 27, the same day San Antonio marked one year since the deadliest human smuggling attempt in modern U.S. history.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently released dashcam footage of the pursuit in La Salle County. The video shows a big-rig truck traveling into oncoming traffic on I-35.
According to a DPS spokesperson, the trooper had attempted to pull the driver over for a traffic violation when he took off.
“I got a truck tractor going northbound in the southbound lane on 35,” the trooper can be heard saying as he calls for backup. “We are going over 80 miles an hour.”
The driver can be seen merging back into the northbound lane. He then veers into a shoulder, before pulling off the highway.
The truck comes to a rough stop, and several people can be seen jumping out and running.
“He's bailing out; he's bailing out!” the trooper yells.
Authorities were able to catch the driver, who has been identified as Eduardo Aradas. He was charged with human smuggling, reckless driving and evading arrest.
12 migrants were taken also into custody. They were turned over to border patrol agents, the DPS spokesperson said.
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