3 immigrants drown in Texas police chase

HOUSTON - Three young men died Wednesday as a sport utility vehicle carrying them and at least 10 other suspected illegal immigrants plunged into a stock tank during a police chase in Texas.

The incident happened about 2 am near the town of Poth, southeast of the Texas city of San Antonio, police said.

Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt told reporters that one of his deputies reported spotting one SUV that only had one working headlight and tried to stop it, but the vehicle sped away.

The SUV veered off and continued off-road, slamming through several fences, before plunging into the pond, he said.

Only one of the three dead possessed identification, said Tackitt. He was 21 years old and the other two are believed to be even younger.

The 10 survivors, including the driver, are believed to come from Guatemala and have been put under federal custody, said Tackitt.