CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) - A Houston man has pleaded guilty in a South Texas human smuggling case and wreck that left an immigrant dead.
Prosecutors say 22-year-old Leonel Alvaro Abundis-Carreon pleaded guilty Monday in Corpus Christi to conspiracy to transport 14 suspected illegal immigrants. He also pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily injury to a person.
Sentencing is Oct. 30. Abundis-Carreon, who remains in custody, faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Border Patrol agents from Falfurrias on Feb. 9 chased a pickup truck driven by Abundis-Carreon. Authorities say suspected illegal immigrants were in the cab and the truck bed when the vehicle crashed.
One passenger died. Several others were hurt. Abundis-Carreon said he received $125 for each immigrant he smuggled.
Details weren't released Monday on the immigration status of the survivors.
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