Texas Brownsville car crash news: Driver George Alvarez yelled anti-migrant insults before deadly collision
Seven dead and 12 injured in a car crash outside a migrant shelter in Brownsville, Texas
A witness to the car crash that killed eight people in front of a migrant shelter Texas says the driver made anti-immigrant remarks before being arrested by members of the public.
Suspect George Alvarez, 34, has been charged with eight counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following Sunday morning’s incident.
Police say they are still investigating whether the accident was premeditated and the driver’s alleged statements.
Former police said Mr Alvarez has a long criminal record, including multiple assault charges.
And shocking surveillance camera footage shared by Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar showed the moment a gray Ranger Rover driving down North Minnesota Avenue toward Boca Chica Boulevard crashed into the crowd outside the city’s Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center cracked.
The Venezuelan government has called for an investigation to determine whether the crash was intentional and hate-motivated or not xenophobiaafter it was revealed that several of the victims were from Venezuela.
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Suspect George Alvarez, 34, has been charged with eight counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following Sunday morning’s incident.
Officials announced the charges on Monday.
More charges could be brought as investigators try to determine whether or not the crash was intentional.
Rachel SharpMay 9, 2023 1:53 p.m
Two days, three attacks, 18 dead: Texas rocked the horror weekend
The state of Texas — from the border with Mexico to the swanky suburbs north of Dallas — spent Monday reeling with unimaginable horror.
Traumatized shoppers rallied in Allen to recover vehicles at the outlet mall, where an active gunman killed eight and injured seven on Saturday.
Officials in Brownsville were preparing to update the public after a driver drove into a group of migrants waiting at a bus stop on Sunday morning, killing eight again and injuring at least ten.
And Dallas police detained a gunman who opened fire on a light rail line Sunday afternoon, killing one and injuring two.
The Independent‘s Sheila Flynn reports on the horror weekend in Texas:
Two days, three attacks, 18 dead: Texas rocked by a horrific weekend of violence
An active gunman attacked an outlet mall near Dallas Saturday afternoon, killing eight before being shot himself by an Allen cop. The next morning, 570 miles south, a car drove into a group of migrants waiting at a bus stop, killing eight others. Then, eight hours later, an argument on a Dallas Dart train led to another fatal shooting. Sheila Flynn reports on the bloody weekend in Texas
Rachel SharpMay 9, 2023 1:30 p.m
Greg Abbott shows barbed wire fence in Brownsville – ignoring migrant deaths
Gov. Greg Abbott displayed a barbed wire fence in Brownsville on Monday night – ignoring the deaths of eight migrants in a horror accident a day earlier.
“It’s one thing Texas is doing to secure the border. This is the area near Brownsville that migrants crossed in large numbers a few days ago. We have it wired now. Other areas will appear to traverse. We will also wire them. More to come,” he tweeted.
This comes after eight victims were killed when a man rammed into a group of migrants waiting at a bus stop outside a migrant shelter on Sunday.
Rachel SharpMay 9, 2023 1:10 p.m
George Alvarez’s crime story revealed:
During a news conference Monday, police noted that George Alvarez has a long criminal record.
His previous charges include numerous charges of assault, one charge of aggravated assault and additional charges of burglary, theft, DUI and resisting arrest.
He is currently being held on a $3.6 million bond, according to CNN.
Rachel SharpMay 9, 2023 12:50 p.m
WATCH: George Alvarez charged with manslaughter
Bus crash in Brownsville, Texas: Suspect George Alvarez is charged with manslaughter
Rachel SharpMay 9, 2023 12:28 p.m
Vigil for victims planned for Tuesday
A candlelight vigil will be held on Tuesday to honor victims killed when a car crashed into a group of migrants outside a shelter in Brownsville, Texas.
The vigil will be held in front of Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday at 7pm MST.
“Following the tragic incident last Sunday, May 7th, in Brownsville, Texas that resulted in the deaths of 7 innocent people, the Border Network for Human Rights will hold a vigil in solidarity with migrants across our state and nation,” said the Border Network for Human Rights in a Facebook post.
Rachel SharpMay 9, 2023 12:05
Seven victims remain hospitalized after the Brownsville crash
Seven victims are still being hospitalized with their injuries after the horror crash in Brownsville.
Eight people were killed when driver George Alvarez drove into a group of migrants waiting for a bus outside the migrant shelter.
The victims have not been publicly identified.
Rachel SharpMay 9, 2023 11:45 am
ICYMI: Everything we know about George Alvarez
Police say Mr Alvarez, 34, was well known to them thanks to a long list of previous charges including assault, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
Rachel SharpMay 9, 2023 11:25 am
There is no protection for us’
A witness to the crash has delivered a defiant message to anyone who looks down on undocumented migrants.
The 29-year-old Venezuelan, who asked that his name not be published, told local broadcaster KIII that he was outside the shelter when the crash happened and that his only motive for coming to America was that , his wife and son a better life.
“There is no protection for us,” said the man. “The people who walk all the way here are at the mercy of God…
“If you treat me badly because you think you’re better than me, for whatever reason – you have a house, a job, a car, whatever – you will find a Venezuelan here. You should show us a little more empathy, and that goes for the whole world.”
“We are all Hispanics who feel everything that happens”
The crash has prompted a surge of support from Brownsville residents, who are 95 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to the latest U.S. census.
“We are all Mexicans, Hispanics who feel everything that happens,” said one resident, Maria Esparza. “Me and my family are of immigrant descent and we came for a better life.”
