George West, Texas – A shocking human smuggling operation was uncovered when the Texas Department of Public Safety found 25 illegal immigrants packed inside a box truck during a crash investigation.

The discovery occurred on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, just after 9:30 a.m., at a truck stop along Interstate 37 in Live Oak County.

A DPS Trooper was alerted by a concerned citizen about a minor crash in the parking lot. The Trooper approached the driver of a white 2005 International box truck who claimed she was heading to Houston after picking up mattresses in Alton.

But inconsistencies in her story led the Trooper to request a search.

With help from the George West Police Department, the Trooper found 25 people hidden in a small corner of the truck, concealed behind 30 mattresses and inside a crawl space in the truck wall. There was barely any ventilation.

The group included 12 males, 12 females, and one 11-year-old child. The individuals were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, India, Cuba, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.

All were removed from the truck and given medical evaluations before being referred to U.S. Border Patrol.

The driver, Silvia Patricia Santamaria, 43, of Houston, was arrested and charged with 25 counts of smuggling of persons. She is currently in the Live Oak County Jail.

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