First up for It's been one yearo
the day since the deadliest humn
smuggling event in U.S. history.
53 migrants died from heat related illnesses
after they were found in the back of a hot
tractor trailer on the southwest side.
And none of the migrants had any
access to air conditioning or w.
The youngest of the victims was,
The oldest 55.
They came from Honduras,
Mexico and Guatemala.
More than a dozen were women.
At throughout the day,
people have been stopping by the
memorial site to remember those who died.
And as Kent Five's Zach Briggs explains,
it's a time of reflection
that once again sheds light on
the US immigration system.
53 crosses stand here along Quintana Roads,
surrounded by the love of famil,
friends and community members,
many coming by to pay the respe.
Meanwhile, immigration rights gs
also reflecting on the tragedy.
One year later,
Danny Fuddius still can't fathom
the terror these 53 souls endur.
Inside the sweltering semi
one year ago, it was just a
tragedy and it just didn't haveo
happen in San Antonio. But it d.
But he is reflecting on the atry
while using his music to help heal a song
dedicated to the struggle of migrants.
Our end goal was to write the
music to honor them so that
the families that are all over
the world would understand that
they're Americans that do care.
About the humanitarian issues
that happen in this country,
a humanitarian injustice which
Dolores Schrader, CEO of RACES,
says was preventable and illumis
the problems with immigration in the US.
This is the direct result of the
immigration system that has dehumanized
and criminalized people who are.
Seeking safety and freedom
within our borders.
It's a sentiment shared by
Lula President Domingo Garcia,
who believes Governor Greg
Abbott's efforts to secure
the border are only hurting
the path to asylum.
Spending billions of dollars ant
making a difference except mones
going into the human smugglers d
people are getting more despera.
And unfortunately,
as long as it's a profit to be e
on human misery and desperation.
You're going to see tragedies
like what happens I've done a
year ago occur again and again.
It's still in the very early st,
but the city of San Antonio,
in partnership with community groups,
is looking into establishing a permanent
memorial to honor the 53 victim.
I'm Zach Briggs, Ken's 5.
And six men have been charged
with human smuggling resulting n
death in the Quintana Rd. Case.
Now if convicted, they could fae
life in prison or the death pen.
On the left side of your
screen is Christian Martinez.
Investigators found Martinez had been
communicating with the driver oe
18 Wheeler about the smuggling event.
Just yesterday a motion
for continuance was filed,
meaning if Martinez makes a plea deal,
his paperwork will have to
be in by the end of August.
If not, then he's scheduled
for trial in September.
The suspected driver,
Omero Zamorano Junior,
is a Brownsville native who's
living in Pasadena.
He was seen on surveillance cama
footage at immigration checkpois
and was also found in the area
where the tragedy happened.
The motion hearing for Zamorano
has been set for this Thursday
a coming up at 5 Ken's Fives.
Troy Class has more on an indict
that was just unsealed in connen
to this case with information
on the four newest suspects.
Now if you do stop at the
memorial on Quintana Road,
you are bound to notice
how neat and tidy it is,
despite it being vandalized andn
set on fire over the last year.
10s Five's Alyssa Theas introdus
us to a man who has taken it upn
himself to look after the memorl
she says he visits every day.
Along Quintana Rd.
In front of the bustling trains
and tall weeds stands a makeshit
memorial where 53 people with ae
for a life in the United States.
Died in the suffocating heat of a trailer.
First some. The site comes
with a sort of heaviness,
The pain. But by
now Roberto Christian
Rodriguez knows it well,
The way the wind blows through
the pride of each country's fla.
The flowers adorn each cross,
or how a Bible sits propped open with
a rock, offering those who
believe solace and protection.
Honduras. No, no, no, no intend.
Much mucho de locas like
beer,
and it was a catolico parayo no.
He does so for several reasons.
20 years ago he made the same
dangerous journey to the
United States and nearly died.
He also knows the family
of some of the victims.
Gustavo Santoyan, Alejandro
Caballero and Margie pas ayosin
pro que me
yama meiseno posada que le aday.
Alum alympia la Guerra melina Flores itas.
He is local local cola boradoree
polo
menosera agumer.
The different part of ayera,
Ayera. No, Estabi said.
I'm gonna familia de la redo te.
But there are times when
these visits go unwanted.
San Antonio police and fire have
responded to the memorial at let
seven times in the last year.
The memorial has been vandalized
even set on fire by a woman in her 40s.
Back in November of last year,
she told investigators she
was doing quote God's work.
Forcing Rodriguez and other
volunteers to make the repairs.
No Trada. Losing Como Como gente Mala
si No Como gente Katianna Probls
Right It Persona Katina. Problem
With faith and determination,
Rodriguez still has plans for the memorial.
He wants to build a mural that
will include the faces, names ad
the places each victim came fro.
For the caretaker, the tragedy
is a reminder of the ongoing
danger of human trafficking
and a reminder that life
is filled with heartbreak.
This is the place to remember.
This is Tom hayo record a Los co
parte de una trajedia que lament Amos.
He's a Bamaha severe lamentin
oh so Tia's KENS 5.
Our coverage, marking one
year since the Quintana Rd.
tragedy continues this evening on Ken's 5 and
kens5.com.