Two U.S. service members were killed and another seriously injured in a military vehicle crash Tuesday morning while supporting border operations near El Paso, Texas. The fatal accident occurred at approximately 8:50 a.m. along New Mexico Highway 9 near Santa Teresa, a few miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
The troops were part of Joint Task Force-Southern Border, which provides logistical and operational support in securing the southern border. According to the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the incident involved a single military vehicle. All three soldiers were transported from the scene before first responders arrived. Two later succumbed to their injuries, while the third remains in serious condition.
Highway 9, where the crash happened, is frequently used by military and border enforcement personnel and runs parallel to the southern U.S. border. The cause of the crash is under investigation, and officials have not released the names of the victims, pending family notifications.
This tragedy underscores the ongoing risks faced by U.S. military personnel deployed domestically to support national security operations. The Biden administration has kept troops along the border in non-law enforcement roles, despite criticism for failing to take decisive action to curb illegal immigration.
The Joint Task Force and the Department of Defense are expected to release further details as the investigation continues.
