Eleven pilgrims returning from a visit to view a religious icon in the Jalisco town of San Juan de Lagos died in an automobile accident near Jalostotitlán Tuesday.
Another eight are being treated for injuries of varying degrees.
The religious tourists were all passengers in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van making their way back to Guadalajara on the “Libre” highway from San Juan. The accident occurred on a dangerous corner known locally as “Death Curve” due to many previous incidents. According to police reports, a tow truck coming the opposite direction on the wrong side of the road hit the van head on at high speed.
The driver of the tow truck fled the scene and had not been located at press time.
Several of the injured passengers were taken by police helicopter to Guadalajara where they are being treated at the private San Javier Hospital.
The deceased came from several states, including Jalisco.