Texas highway crash kills 8 illegal immigrants, investigators say

The aftermath of the head-on collision, which left 8 dead. (The Texas Department of Public Safety)

Eight illegal immigrants have been pronounced dead in Texas after the truck they were traveling in crashed head-on with another vehicle, officials say. 

The fatal accident occurred Monday afternoon about 30 miles north of Del Rio, a city on the U.S.-Mexico border. 

"Preliminary investigation revealed a red Dodge pickup was evading from DPS troopers traveling on US 277 when it caused a head-on collision with a white Ford F-150," the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement to Fox News. "Due to injuries sustained, 8 undocumented passengers from the Dodge pickup were pronounced deceased on scene." 

It was not immediately clear why the DPS troopers initially launched a pursuit of the truck. The department did not respond to a request from Fox News for further comment. 

It said though that the "driver and a child passenger from the Ford pickup and one undocumented passenger from the Dodge pickup were transported to a hospital in San Antonio and are in stable condition." 

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The aftermath of the head-on collision, which left 8 dead.

The aftermath of the head-on collision, which left 8 dead. (The Texas Department of Public Safety)

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The driver of the truck carrying the migrants also tried to flee on foot following the crash, but was taken into custody, officials added. 

The crash remains under investigation.  

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