Mexican national charged in smuggling deaths after vehicle crashes into canal
Mar 28, 2025·Location: McAllen, TX
Country of origin: Mexico

Jose Alexis Baeza-Combaluzier, a 26-year-old Mexican national, was driving a Ford Explorer involved in alleged human smuggling when U.S. Border Patrol agents approached the vehicle during severe flooding in McAllen, Texas. Baeza-Combaluzier fled and drove into a canal; agents rescued him and four migrants, but a woman and 13-year-old boy drowned in the incident. He has been charged in connection with the smuggling deaths and faces up to life in prison or the death penalty if convicted.
Sources
- Two men found guilty in deadliest human smuggling incident in modern U.S. history
NPR·Mar 19, 2025·archived copy
- 2 men face federal charges after woman, teen drown in alleged smuggling attempt
- Two charged in smuggling deaths of woman, child during recent South Texas flooding event
- willmarradio.com
- 2 men face federal charges after woman, teen drown in alleged smuggling attempt | ABC Audio Digital Syndication
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