A horse trailer secretly carrying at least 18 illegal immigrants through Campo near the city of San Diego, overturned on Saturday injuring several, authorities said.
A witness told the California Highway Patrol that the Ford F-250 was hauling the horse trailer along the westbound Interstate 8 when the two-axle, four-hour trailer began to fishtail wildly. The pickup driver was unable to regain control and drifted off the freeway, while the trailer unhooked itself, tipping on its right side.
Several people were spotted running from the trailer that did not contain any horses.
The CHP notified Border Patrol agents who, after a brief search of the area, were able to round up most, if not all, of the individuals involved Border Patrol Agent Eduardo Olmos said.
The driver has not been identified by authorities, and it was unclear if they had been taken into custody.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that two women were airlifted to a nearby hospital, and four men taken by ambulance. The other people at the scene were treated for their injuries and arrested.
It was not yet known where the illegal immigrants made entry into the U.S. Olmos said. A breakdown of their nationalities were not available.
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