A human smuggling attempt ended in tragedy when a migrant drowned in the Rio Grande while fleeing Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers during a vehicle pursuit in Laredo.
According to DPS, the incident began shortly near Riverside Road and Mann Road when a trooper attempted to stop a black Chevrolet Tahoe suspected of transporting undocumented migrants. The driver failed to stop, initiating a pursuit that ended at Tres Laredos Park along the riverbank.
After stopping the vehicle, the driver and multiple passengers exited and fled toward the river. The driver, wearing a life jacket, and six others swam back across the Rio Grande into Mexico. Two migrants were apprehended at the scene with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Military Department.
A third individual, identified only as a male, was seen struggling in the water before authorities lost sight of him. Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens then recovered the body from the river at 4:55 p.m. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released, pending next-of-kin notification. The Texas Rangers are leading the ongoing investigation.
In an official statement on social media, Texas DPS spokesperson Chris Olivarez confirmed the incident:
OFFICIAL STATEMENT – LAREDO
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) May 19, 2025
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is investigating a human smuggling attempt that resulted in the death of one illegal immigrant who drowned while attempting to evade capture by crossing back into Mexico through the Rio Grande.
On Saturday,… pic.twitter.com/DPNFIv8UHV
Horacio Munguia Valencia, Consul of Protection with the Consulate General of Mexico in Laredo, urged individuals to avoid attempting illegal crossings when speaking about the incident to local KGNS News:
"They are always at risk if they are part of those chases. It's a high-speed chase, so they're always in danger. So again, don't put your life, don't put your safety at risk"
Authorities also stated that the suspected smuggler managed to flee back into Mexico.
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