Two service members have died and another is seriously injured following a vehicle accident near the US Southern border.
The incident occurred near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, just west of Fort Bliss, a major Army installation in West Texas. The base has been instrumental in the deployment of troops and equipment to the border and has served as a hub for military deportation flights. The military has not yet released further details about the accident or the identities of the service members involved.
The crash occurred around 8:50 am local time. Those involved in the accident where traveling in a civilian car but no civilians were hurt.
Photos published by KTSM show a car crashed over an embankment on an isolated road not far from the Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station, according to the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office. The road runs alongside the southern border, from New Mexico into Arizona.
The three were airlifted to a local hospital as soon as emergency responders arrived on scene.
The troops are deployed there in support of President Donald Trump’s executive order to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
New Mexico's U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez issued a response to the crash.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two service members today near Santa Teresa. My thoughts are with their families, loved ones, and fellow service members during this difficult time. With the recent deployments to and the new mission at the Southern border, we must fully review the circumstances surrounding this incident. We owe it to them—and all who serve—to ensure their safety is never compromised.”
The Trump administration has used military aircraft to deport people to Guatemala, Ecuador and Colombia, a departure from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's previous practice to employ charter and commercial planes.
A defense official speaking on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details not yet made public said the accident occurred in a civilian vehicle, but no civilians were harmed in the incident.
The incident did not involve any of the scores of Stryker vehicles the Pentagon has sent down to the border to perform patrols, the official said.
