One dead among 2 stowaways found in 18-wheeler

The Trucker News Services

10/30/2008

HOUSTON — Houston police reported that a traffic stop led to the discovery Oct. 13 of two stowaways — one living and one dead — in the storage compartment of an 18-wheeler, according to a report aired by KHOU TV.

Investigators said an officer pulled over the truck driver for a minor traffic violation. It happened along the Southwest Freeway and Gessner.

Police said the officer was talking to the driver when he heard noise coming from the back of the cab. 

“The officer secured the occupants of the vehicle, the driver and passenger. He subsequently discovered there was a male stowed away in a storage compartment. He was still alive. He also discovered a deceased male,” said an investigator.

Police said that the surviving man was 18 and the dead man was reportedly in his late 50s.

The 18-year-old reportedly told police that he and the man came across the border and walked for 1.5 days before finally getting in the back of the truck.

“He’s not sure as to how long he’s been back there,” said an investigator.

The driver and his passenger claimed they did not know the two men were stowed away in the vehicle.

It’s not known where the truck was coming from, but police say it was headed for Dallas.