SAN ANTONIO, TX — A 28-year-old man from the Bronx, New York, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a human smuggling operation that ended in a dangerous high-speed chase and a violent crash. The sentencing, handed down in a San Antonio federal court, follows an incident in July 2022 that left multiple passengers with severe injuries.
The Incident: High-Speed Chase and Crash
The events unfolded on July 18, 2022, when a Kendall County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull over a speeding pickup truck on Interstate 10. The driver, later identified as Peter Diaz-Vasquez, was traveling at 106 mph. Instead of stopping, Diaz-Vasquez accelerated to 110 mph, leading officers on a nine-mile chase through a construction zone with workers present.
The pursuit ended when Diaz-Vasquez lost control of the truck, which rolled onto its side. Six passengers were thrown from the open truck bed, suffering severe injuries. Authorities later discovered that Diaz-Vasquez was transporting 11 undocumented individuals, including a 17-year-old minor.
The Injuries: Lives Forever Changed
The crash resulted in significant injuries for everyone involved. Two passengers had to be airlifted to a hospital due to life-threatening head injuries. Others suffered broken arms, legs, and head trauma, with one individual sustaining a critical spinal injury that required intubation.
Medical professionals have indicated that some of these injuries will lead to long-term complications, leaving the victims and their families facing an uncertain future.
The Smuggling Operation: $800 Per Passenger
Court documents revealed that Diaz-Vasquez flew from New York to Texas to carry out the smuggling operation. He rented a vehicle and traveled to Uvalde, Texas, where he picked up the undocumented individuals. His plan was to transport the passengers to San Antonio or Austin in exchange for $800 per person.
This reckless scheme not only endangered the lives of his passengers but also put other drivers and road workers at risk during the high-speed pursuit.
Legal Consequences: A Clear Message
In court, Diaz-Vasquez admitted to his actions and was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in federal prison for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, resulting in serious bodily injury and endangering human life.
U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas condemned Diaz-Vasquez’s actions, emphasizing the broader dangers of human smuggling.
“This case clearly highlights the extreme dangers posed by human smuggling,” Esparza said. “This defendant packed 11 passengers in his vehicle, endangering them, along with everyone on the road that day, with complete disregard for human safety.”
Human Smuggling: A Growing Crisis
The case of Diaz-Vasquez is part of a larger human smuggling crisis that has intensified across Texas in recent years. Authorities have seen an increase in similar cases, with smugglers often using dangerous tactics to evade law enforcement.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly warned that human smuggling operations prioritize profit over human life. Smugglers often overcrowd vehicles, use unsafe routes, and show little concern for the well-being of the individuals they transport.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
Local law enforcement officials in Kendall County praised the deputy’s efforts to stop Diaz-Vasquez and highlighted the importance of remaining vigilant against smuggling operations.
“These kinds of incidents are becoming more common, and each one is potentially fatal,” said one officer involved in the case. “We’ll continue working with federal agencies to crack down on these dangerous operations.”
The 10-year prison sentence handed down to Diaz-Vasquez serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with human smuggling. The victims of the crash will live with the physical and emotional scars for years to come, while Diaz-Vasquez will spend the next decade behind bars.
Law enforcement officials continue to urge individuals not to participate in or support smuggling activities, emphasizing that such actions can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
