(Initial Report released)....The Preliminary report has been released by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The NTSB is investigating the collision that occured March 2nd near Holtville. An SUV, carrying 25 illegal migrants, collided with a semi at Norrish Road and Highway 115. The collision resulted in the death of 14, and several others injured. The preliminary report released by the NTSB indicates the SUV was loaded with people in Mexico and crossed into the United States through a breach in the International Boundary fence at just before dawn March 2nd. The vehicle was headed towards El centro. They say at around 6:15 that morning the SUV was on Norrish Road. The SUV either slowed or stopped at the posted intersection, but then pulled into the intersection directly into the path of the semi, traveling northbound on Highway 115. The driver of the semi slammed on his brakes, but could not avoid colliding with the SUZ, striking the vehicle on the drivers side. The driver of the SUV and a front seat passenger were wearing seatbelts, but the rest of the people crammed into the vehicle were not. The driver of the SUV, a 28 year old man front Mexicali, and the front seat passenger were among the fatal injury victims. The 65 year old driver of the semi was injured and transported to a hospital for treatment. The NTSB says the investigation is continuing.