Residents find 60+ people in tractor-trailer on SW Side road, several fled into woods, SAFD says

Several people from inside the trailer fled into the woods

SAN ANTONIO – Loud banging led to the discovery of dozens of people stuck inside a tractor-trailer on a Southwest Side street early Friday morning.

Residents who live near the 14500 block of Quesenberry Road heard the banging at about 2:20 a.m. and found 60-80 people inside the trailer not far from Watson and Somerset roads, according to San Antonio fire officials.

SAFD Battalion Chief Russell Johnson said investigators believe that people were in the trailer for around four hours.

By the time San Antonio police arrived, the trailer was empty and residents said some of the people had fled into the woods. SAPD’s Eagle helicopter was used to search for the individuals.

As of Friday morning, 20 men and nine women were located. No children were at the scene, according to SAPD.

Firefighters checked people for injuries, but none of the 29 people who were located were hurt, Johnson said. “Minor dehydration and fatigue were the only voiced concerns,” a preliminary report from SAPD states.

The trailer was air-conditioned, and the 18-wheeler had traveled from Laredo, according to Johnson.

SAPD called VIA to help transport people. Homeland Security is taking over the investigation.

Read also:


About the Authors

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.

Azian Bermea is a photojournalist at KSAT.

Recommended Videos