Early morning wreck claims six lives in Edna

A wreck after a police pursuit claimed the lives of six people. It is believed there were 15 people in the vehicle.

Police Chief Clinton Wooldridge said in a press release the pursuit began at approximately 1:29 AM September 24, 2015 on US Hwy 59 in the city limits of Edna after Edna Police attempted to stop a 2003 Ford Explorer registered out of Corpus Christi for a traffic violation.  The vehicle fled North on Hwy 59 feeder.  The vehicle turned around at the dead end of the feeder road and proceeded to flee South on the Hwy 59 feeder, back into the City of Edna.  At one point the vehicle stopped, then took off again.  Police pursued the vehicle as it fled through town on Bus Hwy 59 and along some City Streets.  The vehicle turned back onto Hwy 59 NB at County Road 300.  Officers believe that the driver thought to take the Loop 521 exit, then at the last minute decided to continue on Hwy 59 North.  At approximately 1:37 AM the driver appeared to overcorrect and the vehicle left the roadway just north of the Loop 521 exit.  The vehicle rolled, or flipped, multiple times, ejecting a number of the occupants.  Four of the occupants were thrown from the vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Darren Stancik.  Three of the occupants were flown by life flight (1 by Herman Hospital, 2 by PHI).  Six of the occupants were taken by ground ambulance to the Jackson County Hospital.  Officers are trying to identify the driver and to determine if any of the occupants fled on foot after the crash.  Officers noted that the rear seat in the vehicle had been folded down and the middle seat had previously been removed, apparently to create more room in the vehicle.

Officials are still attempting to identify the crash victims.  Some of the victims have been identified as being from Honduras and Guatemala. 

No other persons were injured in the one vehicle crash.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash.   

Update 7:15 p.m.

In a press conference with multiple media outlets, including several from Houston, Chief Wooldridge said a 16th person was located near Sid's Wrecker Service in Edna, and is now being held along with the other 10 survivors by the United States Border Patrol. All survivors have been confirmed as illegally in the U.S. by immigration. Seven survivors have been transported to Corpus Christi, one is at Herman Hospital, and one is at Detar Hospital in Victoria.  Of the six deceased, four have been identified.

The owner of the vehicle has been identified as one of the deceased, and was from Alice, TX. Authorities have not yet released his name. Four of the six deceased have been identified. Yet to be identified are the lone female and one male.

The DPS Crime Lab performed a workup on the vehicle and is testing DNA, and Homeland Security is considering Human Smuggling charges. DPS will continue to investigate the incident.