Driver federally indicted in 100-mph smuggling crash that killed Texas grandma, 7-year-old girl

Nearly 3 years aft a high-speed migrant smuggling pursuit tore done the tiny West Texas municipality of Ozona and killed a grandma and her 7-year-old granddaughter, a national expansive assemblage has indicted the Louisiana antheral authorities accidental was down the wheel.

Rassian Nateray Comer faces a 13-count national indictment stemming from the March 13, 2023, clang that near 4 radical dormant — including 71-year-old Maria Socorro Tambunga and her granddaughter, Emilia Tambunga, a second-grader astatine Ozona Elementary School.

According to the indictment, the pursuit began astir 7:40 p.m., erstwhile a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper spotted a speeding 2021 Ram 1500 successful Terrell County. Prosecutors allege Comer refused to propulsion implicit and accelerated to much than 100 miles per hour, turning eastbound onto Interstate 10. The indictment states the motortruck crossed the median doubly and astatine 1 constituent traveled the incorrect absorption connected the road earlier exiting toward Ozona.

Authorities allege Comer ran a reddish airy portion traveling astir 84 mph and slammed into Maria Tambunga’s pickup truck. Maria and Emilia were pronounced dormant astatine the scene.

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Emilia Brooke Tambunga and her grandmother, Maria Socorro Tambunga. (Preddy Funeral Home)

Prosecutors allege Comer was transporting 11 migrants who had precocious crossed into the United States illegally — 8 successful the cab and 3 successful the furniture of the truck. Two Mexican nationals riding successful the furniture died from injuries sustained successful the crash, and 9 others were earnestly injured.

Tim Raymond, acting adjunct peculiar cause successful complaint for Homeland Security Investigations successful Lubbock, said the lawsuit highlights the broader dangers tied to smuggling operations.

The intersection of 15th Street and Avenue E successful Ozona, Texas, wherever authorities accidental a 100-mph smuggling pursuit ended successful a clang that killed a grandma and her 7-year-old granddaughter successful March 2023. (Google Maps)

"Human smuggling is simply a transgression that puts lives astatine risk. It’s dangerous, not lone to those being smuggled, but besides members of the public. This lawsuit is simply a tragic illustration of the consequences," Raymond said.

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The indictment further alleges that Comer went unrecorded connected Facebook during the chase, concisely showing constabulary lights flashing down him earlier panning to a speedometer speechmaking 105 mph. Authorities besides accidental a stolen 9mm handgun was recovered nether the truck’s brake pedal. Federal prosecutors allege Comer was operating arsenic portion of a broader smuggling organization.

Authorities accidental the clang occurred astatine the intersection of 15th Street and Avenue E successful Ozona, Texas, aft a high-speed smuggling pursuit. (Google Maps)

The indictment includes 1 number of conspiracy to transport amerciable aliens resulting successful death, 11 counts of proscription of an amerciable alien resulting successful decease and 1 number of possession of a stolen firearm. If convicted connected the death-resulting smuggling charges, Comer could look up to beingness successful prison.

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"These are important charges brought to code the severity of the defendant’s alleged conduct," U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said. "They taxable Comer to a imaginable beingness condemnation successful national situation if helium is convicted."

"Let maine beryllium clear," Raybould added. "The Department of Justice stands up for transgression victims. We volition ever prioritize these cases and usage each azygous instrumentality to clasp those who perpetrate these types of crimes accountable."

"Yet, successful this oversea of grief and fury, we find a beacon of anticipation and justness done the unwavering efforts of the Trump DOJ, led by the formidable Pam Bondi, Ryan Raybould, and the Jeff Haag team—your dedication to holding the blameworthy accountable restores a sliver of religion successful our combat for righteousness," household subordinate Gin Jespersen told Fox News Digital successful a statement. "And an extended, profound convey you to Stephen Dodd, the Texas DA, for pressing guardant with the Texas lawsuit contempt the obstacles; your resoluteness ensures that Mom Coke and Emilia's memories substance existent change, not forgotten whispers successful the wind. We basal grateful, empowered, and unyielding."