Credited from: CBSNEWS
Two U.S. service members were killed, and another is in serious condition following a vehicle accident near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 8:50 a.m., and the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) confirmed that the service members were deployed in support of Joint Task Force-Southern Border, which is part of military operations aimed at securing the U.S.-Mexico border, according to ABC News.
The military has not yet disclosed the names of the deceased, stating that they will be released only after next of kin are notified. Reports indicate that this incident marks one of the initial fatalities associated with the ongoing military deployment at the border, with the cause still under investigation, as per The New York Times.
In the wake of President Trump's executive order aimed at enhancing border security, thousands of troops have been authorized for deployment to the southern border. According to military officials, the three service members involved in the accident were from Camp Pendleton, California, and were driving a civilian vehicle at the time of the incident, which did not involve military equipment, as reported by CBS News.
This tragic event underscores the dangers faced by military personnel engaged in border security operations and highlights the ongoing investigations into the cause of such accidents, according to The Hill.