News Release



For further information please contact:

Lieutenant Dwight E. Heseman

573-751-1000

F062005a

June 20, 2005



EMPHASIS: Fatality automobile accident on Interstate 70 in Boone County





Missouri State Highway Patrol officers from Troop F and the Major Accident Investigation team from Troop C along with agents of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) offices in Missouri and California are currently investigating an automobile accident involving 20 persons. The identity of four fatalities and one injured person are unknown at this time. I.C.E. agents are assisting in determining the identity of the unknown individuals.



The accident occurred on eastbound Interstate 70 in Boone County on June 19, 2005, at 6:58 a.m. The vehicle, a 2001 Chevrolet van was occupied by 20 persons and is registered to an individual from a suburb of Los Angeles, California. The fatal accident occurred as the van traveled onto the south shoulder, overcorrected, skidded across both eastbound lanes into the median and overturned several times. Seventeen of the twenty occupants were ejected.



A press conference was being planned for 3:30 p.m. today; however, due to a lack of additional information it has been postponed. Highway Patrol officers and I.C.E. agents are continuing the investigation and any additional information will be provided in future press releases.



Persons involved in the accident are:



1. Lopez-Luna, Julio H., date of birth and address unknown (fatality)



2. Male, name unknown, age and address unknown (fatality)



3. Male, name unknown, age and address unknown (fatality)



4. Male, name unknown, age and address unknown (fatality)



5. Female, name unknown, age and address unknown (fatality)



6. Male, name unknown, age and address unknown, seriously injured, taken to the University Hospital by ambulance.



7. Murillo-Munguia, Vianeth, date of birth 4-24-84, age 21, Long Beach, California, seriously injured, taken to the University Hospital by ambulance.



8. Castillo, Jorge, date of birth 5-14-83, age 22, serious injuries, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



9. Mancilla, Gelson, date of birth 9-19-82, age 22, serious injuries, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



10. Dubon, Gregoric, date of birth unknown, age unknown, address unknown, serious injuries, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



11. Medina, Alma, date of birth 9-23-87, address unknown, seriously injured, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



12. Xiomara-Andrade, Aminta, date of birth 12-4-85, age 19, seriously injured, El Salvador, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



13. Rodriguz-Alonzo, Gerson, date of birth 10-15-84, age 20, seriously injured, Honduras, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



14. Ramirez, Jorje, date of birth 4-29-89, age 16, unknown address, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



15. Deleton, Eric, date of birth 4-1-83, age 22, Guatemala, serious injuries, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



16. Mejia-Chacon, Modesto, date of birth 5-14-81, age 24, of Honduras, serious injuries, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



17. Alberez, Saulo, date of birth 3-10-59, age 46, Guatemala, moderate injuries, taken to University Hospital by ambulance.



18. Sapon, Jose J., date of birth 1-20-86, age 19, Guatemala, moderate injuries, taken to Columbia Regional Hospital.



19. Ramirez-Alnazan, Melvin, date of birth unknown, age unknown, Guatemala, moderate injuries, taken to Columbia Reginal Hospital by ambulance.



20. Pineda, Vicienta, date of birth 9-23-81, age 23, moderate injuries, taken to Columbia Regional Hospital by ambulance.