Suit Filed in Crash That Injured, Killed Immigrants

A $5-million damage suit was filed Wednesday on behalf of several illegal immigrants who were killed or injured when a smuggler’s truck in which they were being transported overturned near Temecula, Calif., April 6, 1996.

The Los Angeles federal court lawsuit names the Border Patrol and the Immigration and Naturalization Service as defendants. It contends that federal agents chased the smuggler’s pickup at a high speed and failed to use their emergency lights or sirens to get the driver to stop.

The California Highway Patrol gave a different account after the accident, which occurred about 5 a.m.

A CHP spokesman said the Border Patrol car was half a mile behind the truck when the pickup’s driver reached a crest in the road and then hit the gas pedal. As the truck streaked down the hill, the CHP said, the driver lost control.

Skid marks indicated that the truck was traveling 50 mph to 70 mph before it overturned and landed in a shallow gully. The camper shell broke apart and bodies were strewn about. Eight people in the truck died and 17 were injured.

The suit filed Wednesday seeks compensation on behalf of four survivors and relatives of two people who died. Lawsuits on behalf of the other passengers have been filed in Riverside federal court.