2 Marines Killed, 1 Injured in Border Vehicle Incident Near Santa Teresa, New Mexico

On Tuesday morning, two U.S. Marines lost their lives and another sustained serious injuries in a vehicle incident near Santa Teresa, located just west of El Paso, Texas. This occurred while they were supporting military operations at the southern U.S. border, as stated by Joint Task Force-Southern Border (JTF-SB) and defense officials.

The incident took place at approximately 8:50 a.m. Mountain Time and involved a civilian rental vehicle that the Marines were utilizing for transportation during their deployment. Authorities have yet to verify the reason behind the accident or if the service members were actively serving at that moment.

A third Marine was taken to a nearby medical facility in serious condition.

The names of the deceased will remain undisclosed until the next of kin have been notified, adhering to standard military protocol.

The statement from JTF-SB indicated, "The incident is under investigation." Further information was not promptly provided, and officials did not reply to Military.com's inquiries for comment before publication.

The Marines were involved in the larger initiative directed by President Donald Trump in January to strengthen the U.S. military presence at the southern border. Approximately 10,000 active-duty troops, comprising Marines and soldiers, have been deployed to assist with barrier repair, border surveillance, and logistical support.

Units from Camp Pendleton, California, were among the initial forces deployed. Preliminary reports indicate that the Marines involved in Tuesday’s incident were members of the 1st Marine Division, based at Pendleton. These Marines were mainly stationed in San Diego, where they have been strengthening current barriers and setting up concertina wire. Utilization of Civilian Vehicles

While numerous troops are utilizing tactical military vehicles, such as Stryker armored personnel carriers, others have relied on rented civilian SUVs and trucks for transportation to and from work sites and observation posts along the border. Officials confirmed that the accident involved one of these rental vehicles.

The Associated Press reports that no civilians were involved or harmed in the incident, according to a defense official familiar with the case.

The tragic accident marks a somber addition to the military's contentious and swiftly growing border mission. Earlier this month, a distinct directive from the Trump administration granted the military the authority to take control of specific federal lands along the U.S.-Mexico border for security operations.

The military is currently examining the details of the incident, leaving lingering questions regarding the safety conditions and logistics associated with the border deployment effort.

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