Driver hauling 39 people in locked trailer fled police with deflated tires until semi truck caught fire

U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) provided details on a thwarted human smuggling attempt that started at a Texas immigration checkpoint and ended in a tractor trailer fire.

At 8:36 p.m. on June 4, a semi truck entered the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint in Encino, Texas.

After a canine unit alerted to the trailer, the truck driver was referred for a secondary inspection.

According to USBP’s RGV Sector, the truck driver refused to comply and fled the scene.

Officers pursued the truck with lights activated, attempting to perform a traffic stop, but the truck driver continued northbound on Highway 281 before turning southbound south of Falfurrias.

At this point, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers joined the pursuit and used a tire deflating device to try to end the pursuit.

“Despite deflated tires, the suspect continued driving until the tractor caught fire,” USBP said.

The two people in the cab of the burning truck were removed and placed under arrest.

Officers learned that there were people inside the truck’s trailer.

“Agents and troopers were able to open the locked trailer and rescue 39 suspected illegal aliens before the tractor and trailer were engulfed in flames,” USBP said.

All of the people in the trailer were medically screened before being placed in custody.

The incident is under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and USBP.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility is also reviewing the incident.