ENCINO, Texas (KBTX) – U.S. Border Patrol agents say they rescued 39 people from a locked tractor-trailer that had caught fire after the driver fled the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint in South Texas.
According to Border Patrol, the incident happened June 4, 2026, at about 8:36 p.m., when a tractor-trailer approached the checkpoint in Encino for an immigration inspection. During the inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the trailer.
Agents directed the driver to a secondary inspection area, but officials say the driver ignored instructions and fled the checkpoint.
source:(TXDOT)
Border Patrol agents initiated a pursuit, activating emergency equipment and attempting to stop the vehicle. Authorities say the driver failed to yield and traveled northbound on U.S. Highway 281 before turning southbound south of Falfurrias.
The Texas Department of Public Safety responded to assist and continued the pursuit. Troopers were able to deploy a vehicle immobilization device, but Border Patrol says the driver kept going even after the tires were deflated.
The pursuit ended when the tractor caught fire.
source:(TXDOT)
Agents and troopers removed two occupants from the burning vehicle and arrested them. During the arrest, officials say agents discovered people inside the trailer. Agents and troopers opened the locked trailer and rescued 39 suspected undocumented migrants before the tractor and trailer were engulfed in flames.
source:(TXDOT)
Officials said all individuals were medically screened for injuries before being taken into custody.
Border Patrol says the case is under joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility is also reviewing the incident.
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection / U.S. Border Patrol
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