Driver arrested in crash that killed 6 immigrants

A Mexican citizen accused of driving more than 20 illegal immigrants in a vehicle that plunged into a canal, killing six of them, has been arrested on suspicion of smuggling, federal authorities said Monday. The crash happened Friday night shortly after the driver fled police in Westmorland, about 125 miles east of San Diego, said Lauren Mack, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to the California Highway Patrol, the GMC Suburban overturned into the canal and was submerged after the driver failed to maneuver a curve in the road. An 8-year-old boy and his parents were among the dead; the boy's 12-year-old sister survived. The driver was arrested Sunday at a motel in nearby Brawley, Mack said. The suspect, who has been caught eight times by the Border Patrol, claimed to be a juvenile. His name was... [read full story]