Deadly Crashes Rock Mexico's Highways

At least 26 people died in a fiery highway crash in northern Mexico after a passenger van and a freight truck collided. The cause of the accident is under investigation, and the death toll is a preliminary count due to the extent of the wreckage and fire. The cab that had been pulling the freight trailer was not found at the scene, suggesting the driver might have fled. The crash occurred near the state capital, Ciudad Victoria, and many of the victims might be members of an extended family returning from an outing. High death tolls in similar crashes in Mexico have often been blamed on overloaded vehicles linked to migrant smuggling.