ENCINAL, TX (KGNS) - UPDATE: A suspected human smuggling attempt results in two deaths and 14 people being taken into custody after a tanker trailer crashed into a cemetery gate in Encinal.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the incident happened late Monday night.

Initial reports indicate the trailer bypassed the Border Patrol checkpoint when the Border Patrol followed the vehicle but disengaged after a short while.

Officials tell say that the trailer made it to Encinal, where it crashed into the metal gates of the city’s cemetery.

Law enforcement says the crash led to a deadly outcome upon impact.

Sgt. Erick Estrada, with the Texas Department of Public Safety, tells us, “Due to the crash, it made some people that were in the upmost part of the truck tractor, they fell from the tractor towards the ground. Unfortunately, they lost their lives.”

As of now, the nationalities—or the ages—of the victims are not known.

An investigation also continues into the driver of the vehicle.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released a statement.

CBP Statement:

On March 11, 2024, at 9:45 p.m. (CST), Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents were involved in an incident near mile marker 30 on Interstate Highway 35 that resulted in a single vehicle crash. The crash resulted in fatalities. Investigative personnel including Texas Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, Encinal Police Department, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

Two people are dead following a tractor trailer crash on I-35 Monday night.

According to Encinal Police, the incident happened at around 11:30 p.m. on I-35 near mile marker 38.

Preliminary reports indicate a tractor trailer allegedly evaded the Border Patrol checkpoint and crashed into a gate.

Two individuals believed to be migrants were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to DPS, 14 migrants were taken into custody.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - Update: A tanker rollover has resulted in the temporary closure of the World Trade Bridge.

The crash happened on Monday just before noon near Mines Road and Loop 20.

According to Laredo Police, a tanker truck rolled over on the westbound lane of Loop 20 and spilled some type of chemical on the road.

Police say no major injuries have been reported; however, due to the chemical spill, police say it is a hazmat situation that has prompted the closure of the World Trade Bridge.

Drivers are being advised to avoid the area and expect long delays.

Below is the last updated version of this story:

A rollover crash is reported at a busy Laredo intersection.

The crash happened on Monday just before noon near Mines Road and Loop 20.

According to Laredo Police, a tanker truck rolled over on the westbound lane of Loop 20.

Police say no major injuries have been reported; however, motorists are advised to drive with caution.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers foiled three separate human smuggling attempts in the span of just two days at a Laredo port of entry.

The first attempt happened on Friday, Mar. 1 at the Juarez Lincoln Bridge.

A female bus passenger from Mexico presented U.S. birth certificates for three kids and one adult.

They were taken in for secondary inspection.

The documents were found to be real but did not belong to the people involved.

The woman and the kids, a seven-year-old girl, an 11-year-old boy and a five-month-old infant were from Mexico and did not have valid documents.

The second incident happened later that afternoon.

A 48-year-old man drove up and showed an employment authorization card that did not belong to him.

The third incident happened on the following day when a female passenger presented a fake ID to immigration officials.

Each of the adults in these cases were all arrested for violating U.S. immigration law.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - With spring break officially underway, law enforcement agencies will be increasing officer presence in an effort to keep our roads safe.

The Texas Department of Transportation is launching its spring break anti-drinking and driving campaign.

Back in 2022, the agency reported 810 DUI alcohol related traffic crashes during spring break which killed 44 people and injured 90 others.

Sergeant Erick Estrada with the Texas Department of Public Safety said that the agency is trying to promote safety during a time when they see an increase in traffic violations.

“This includes speeding, seatbelt violations, and we also have other traffic violations that unfortunately involve vehicle collisions,” said Estrada. “One of the major things we like to advise people is please don’t drink and drive.”

TxDOT officials say that more than half of alcohol-related crashes during spring break 2022 involved young drivers ages 17–30.

If you’re going to be drinking make sure you find a designated driver or call a rideshare service.

LAREDO, TX (KGNS) - This Sunday, Tinseltown will light up for the 96th annual Academy Awards.

Some of 2023′s best picture list includes, American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things and Zone of Interest.

Some of the actors up for best actor include Bradley Cooper, Colman Domingo, Paul Giamatti, Cillian Murphy, and Jeffery Wright.

Meanwhile, the actress list includes Annette Bening, Lily Gladstone, Sandra Huller, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Stone.

KGNS News broke down some of possible predictions on who will come out a winner Sunday.

The show will air at 6 p.m. on ABC Laredo.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - The community is invited to take part in an International Women’s Day celebration during an annual event this weekend.

Women from all walks of life will be celebrated during the “Femme Y Them” Fest which is being held at Golondrina Food Park this Saturday.

The event will feature music, vendors, live artist paintings and a panel of speakers including children’s illustrator Melly Rodriguez, Sara Lee Gonzalez, a yoga instructor and KGNS News Director Yocelin Gallardo.

Valerie Gonzalez, one of the organizers of the event said this event is meant to bring the community together and highlight some of the female figures in our community.

“Women have so many different roles and struggles that come with it,” said Gonzalez. “Again unifying the message that International Women’s Day is intersectional, so really highlighting that women come from all backgrounds, all shapes, all sizes, all forms and all understandings and brining the people in Laredo who are really empowering women together to network and connect with each other.”

Once again, the event is taking place tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 5 pm. at the Golondrina Food Park.

It’s free and open to the community.

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) - A man is facing charges after Laredo Police find several bundles of drugs inside an abandoned pick-up truck that had crashed into a median.

On Tuesday, Mar. 5, 2024, Laredo Police received a call at around 5:30 p.m. regarding a car crash near the 5300 block of San Dario.

When officers arrived, they found a black 2017 Dodge Ram pick up truck that had crashed into a median, but the driver was nowhere to be found.

Officers searched the truck and found several bundles of drugs inside the vehicle.

Moments later, authorities detained a man near the 100 block of Esperanza Dr. who later confirmed that he was the driver of the truck.

Laredo Police arrested Francisco Gerardo Martinez Jr. And charged him with possession of marijuana