Tucson Region

Third man charged in fatal Sierra Vista crash

Federal authorities have charged a third man with people smuggling in connection with the crash that killed five people and injured 25 Saturday in Sierra Vista. Wilbert Garcia, a 20-year-old Honduran citizen, was named Wednesday in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court as the third co-conspirator in the smuggling operation that turned deadly when a speeding pickup truck hit several other vehicles at a busy intersection. The complaint alleges Garcia acted as a guide for the group of 28 to 30 Mexican citizens that crossed the border illegally Saturday before splitting up into two vehicles. Garcia was riding in the truck with Jose Luis Zepeda-Cruz, 24, and Carlos Cortez, 29, both Mexican citizens who were charged with people smuggling Monday in U.S. District Court. More charges may follow. The driver of the truck has yet to be identified. The crash happened shortly before noon Saturday when the speeding pickup truck crammed with 18 illegal border crossers crashed into a line of vehicles at a busy Sierra Vista intersection right outside the east gate of Fort Huachuca. Three entrants and two Huachuca City residents died in the crash and at least 25 people were injured. The Department of Public Safety is still investigating the incident and has yet to prepare a final report, said Officer Steve Volden, a DPS spokesman. Several of the illegal entrants told detectives they were supposed to pay the smugglers once they arrived at their final destination.