SAN ANTONIO — Yazmin Nayarith Bueso Nunez from Honduras was reassured by her father that she would be safe on the “special trip” she planned to the U.S.
Telemundo News reported that she was one of 53 people who were killed in a tractor trailer rig abandoned by its owner on Monday at San Antonio.
Ten survivors were still in hospital as of Thursday. One had been released.
Jose Santos Bueso her distraught father said, “No words.” He had asked her to not go but she said it was a very special trip.
According to The Associated Press, he said, “I was there,” referring to the crossing he made once. “There are no special journeys.”
According to the AP, she told him that the smuggler would make $15,000 per year.
As officials identify the deceased and get to their loved ones, stories of people who left their families and homes in the hope of a better life continue to surface.
Many victims were not from Latin America or had no documents.
Erik Rodriguez, Bueso’s 37-year-old brother, stated that his sister wanted to travel to the U.S. to work for her teenage son. He said that she was also seeking treatment for Lupus.
Telemundo News reported that Minor Cardona, a father from Guatemala, discovered his daughter, 20, was among the survivors.
He said, “It’s both a joy as well as a blessing.”
Roberto Quintero saw the horrific scene Monday morning first. He was alerted by a friend to the truck and the bodies inside it. He claimed that the truck doors were open at his arrival. He was aware that many people had died from discoloration.
A young girl was lying on the ground, pounding the pavement in search of help. He filled her with water and called 911. Telemundo was informed.
The Washington Post reported that federal charges were made public at a Thursday court hearing. One of the men indicted in the case said to a government informant that the tractor trailer’s air conditioner had stopped working, without the driver being aware.
Federal officials identified the driver as Hector Zamorano Jr. 45. He made his first federal appearance Thursday in federal court on one count of illegal transport of immigrants. If convicted, he could face up to life imprisonment or death.
The case has led to the arrest of three others, including Christian Martinez (28), who was texting the driver. When he wasn’t hearing from the driver, he became more anxious in the text messages.
San Antonio has been shaken by the tragic deaths of its Mexican American population. Many residents of the city are descendants of immigrants or have relatives who lived in the state during its time as part Mexico.
The city is known for its compassion and empathy for the plight of immigrants.
On Thursday night, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese San Antonio celebrated a memorial mass at the historic San Fernando Cathedral in downtown San Antonio. It was established in 1731.
The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Gustavo GarciaSiller. He called for immigration reform in his bilingual sermon, The San Antonio Express News reported. He exhorted the people to create political incentives for their elected representatives to carry out their obligation to complete comprehensive immigration reform.
After visiting the victims of the truck accident, Garcia-Siller had called for a change in government policy on immigration. He stated to NBC News that the bottom line was that people were left behind.
