Teen human smugglers arrested in Texas after transporting 16 illegal immigrants in pickup truck

US Border Patrol agents and LaSalle County deputies attempted to stop a stolen Ford F 150 pickup on Texas Highway 97, but the 16-year-old driver refused to stop, according to Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward.

The driver continued to flee for several miles, leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through multiple roads and private property, Daily Mail reports.

When the vehicle came to a stop in Jourdanton, 15 migrants were arrested by Border Patrol agents after jumping out of the pickup truck, the outlet reports.

The 16-year-old driver proceeded onto Highway 97 and then crashed through private property near Pleasanton. The vehicle pursuit continued onto County Road 423 and a female migrant exited the vehicle on US Highway 281. The suspect then crashed through a fence on private property near Texas Highway 97 and was taken into custody, according to Daily Mail.

The vehicle's front passenger, a 17-year-old male, jumped out of the vehicle and was later arrested by law enforcement following a foot pursuit.

According to authorities, the 16-year-old driver was transported to Atascosa County Juvenile Detention Center, and the 17-year-old passenger was booked into the Atascosa County Jail. Both suspects were charged with human smuggling and evading arrest.

Authorities have not confirmed if the two teens are United States citizens.

The incident follows the apprehension of a driver that smuggled migrants in an 18-wheeler across the border before leaving 53 of them to die last month.

According to the San Antonio Express News, the 45-year-old driver of the truck, Homero Zamorano, was arrested after fleeing the scene and taken into custody.