Driver in tragic case of 53 migrants killed wants to dismiss charges

SAN ANTONIO – A deadly tractor-trailer incident in 2022 left 53 migrants dead. The truck driver filed motions to dismiss the case in federal court at Thursday morning’s hearing.

Two years ago, the migrants died after being left in the back of a semi-truck without air conditioning in the sweltering heat of Quintana Road.

Several suspects have been arrested in connection with the deadly people smuggling case, some recently in Guatemala. Lawyers told us that the goal of the hearing was to work out some details in order to start the trial on the 21st.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, two other defendants, Felipe Ordura-Torres and Armando Gonzales-Ortega, organized the delivery of the trailer to Zamorano.

All three face charges of conspiracy to transport that resulted in the death and, in two cases, transportation of the migrants.

A defense attorney for Ordura-Torres and Gonzales-Ortega told me the case was complicated and that’s why it took two years to get here.

“There are a lot of legal issues and that’s why the court is taking the time to make sure that if you’ve heard it, we still have to rule on limine motions [motion that requests a judge to exclude certain evidence or testimony from being presented at trial]. We still have to decide on exhibitions. I mean, it’s a lot of stuff,” said defense attorney Dr. HE. Baez.

We spoke to the lawyers in the case and they told us that they are waiting for the judge to rule on the motion.

We will continue to monitor the latest developments and let you know what happens.