The driver of a migrant truck in San Antonio put chicken broth powder on the floor to throw off the dogs at checkpoints, a survivor told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
At least 40 men and 13 women, believed to be migrants crossing into the United States from Mexico, died after they were found near and in an overheated truck in a remote area of San Antonio, Texas, on June 27.
Yenifer Yulisa Cardona Thomas, a 20-year-old woman from Guatemala City, told the AP that she was among a group of people who boarded the 18-wheeler from the Texas side of the border with Mexico.
She told the AP that the driver confiscated everyone’s cellphones before they got on and also covered the floor of the truck with chicken broth powder to repel any dogs at checkpoints.
Cardona Thomas said it was already hot when they got on the truck and that she and a friend decided to sit closer to the door where it would be cooler.
The overcrowding and heat worsened as the truck continued its journey and made additional stops to pick up more migrants, she said.
“People were screaming, some were crying. Mostly women were calling for him to stop and open the doors because it was hot and they couldn’t breathe,” she told the AP.
“People asked for water, some had run out, others were carrying,” she said.
Cardona Thomas said she had no way of keeping track of the time, and she ended up passing out.
The 20-year-old made it out alive, but is currently being treated at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan in San Antonio. Her boyfriend also survived, she said.
The man suspected of driving the truck, identified as 45-year-old Homero Zamorano Jr., was arrested and charged with alien smuggling resulting in death, the Justice Department said.
Another man who was in contact with Zamorano at the time has also been charged in connection with the incident.
Surveillance cameras previously captured Zamorano driving the truck through a checkpoint without incident earlier on June 27, officials said.
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