George Alvarez, the man charged with manslaughter for ramming his car into a group of migrants in Brownsville, Texas, is under scrutiny. The incident resulted in the tragic deaths of eight individuals, and twelve others sustained injuries, some of which are critical.
George Alvarez, a 34-year-old resident of Brownsville, has a history of criminal activities. It remains unclear whether the collision was deliberate or accidental, as investigators are still examining the case.
The incident occurred near a shelter for migrants and the homeless, close to the US-Mexico border, where the group was waiting at a bus stop. Allegedly, Alvarez ran a red light and lost control of his vehicle, crashing into 18 people.
After the collision, George Alvarez reportedly attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by individuals present at the site. He faces multiple charges, including eight counts of manslaughter and ten counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
It has been confirmed that some of the victims are Venezuelan nationals. Local authorities are coordinating efforts with Venezuelan authorities to aid the victims and facilitate their reunification.
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George Alvarez has an extensive criminal record, with previous charges including assault against family members, public servants, and vulnerable individuals. He has also faced charges related to drunk driving, marijuana possession, burglary, and evading arrest.
Currently, Alvarez is uncooperative with the police and is being held on a $3.6 million bond. Investigators are waiting for the results of a toxicology report to determine if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.
A video taken at the scene shows George Alvarez being restrained by police officers and escorted to a waiting vehicle. However, the authenticity of the video cannot be independently verified.
This tragic event unfolded amidst an increase in illegal migrant arrivals in Brownsville and other border communities. The impending expiration of Title 42, a policy implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic allowing automatic expulsion of undocumented migrants, has caused significant challenges for the region.
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In response to the surge in arrivals, Brownsville officials issued a disaster declaration in April to address the situation.