DEMING — Two U.S. Marines were killed and a third was critically injured in a military vehicle accident Tuesday morning, April 15, near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The crash occurred around 8:50 a.m. along the U.S.-Mexico border, approximately halfway between Santa Teresa and Columbus, just inside Doña Ana County.
The deceased service members were identified as Lance Corporal Aguilera and Lance Corporal Gamino, both assigned to Camp Pendleton, California. The third Marine, whose name has not been released, was airlifted to an area hospital and remains in serious condition.
The Marines were part of Joint Task Force–Southern Border, a deployment ordered under former President Donald Trump’s directive to increase military support for border security. Their mission was to provide logistical and surveillance support for Department of Defense operations along the southern U.S. border.
President Trump’s controversial policy to declare the entire border corridor a military installation — specifically the Roosevelt Reservation, a federally owned 60-foot-wide strip of land running along 632 miles of the border from California to New Mexico — is facing legal challenges. The administration contended that designating the area as a military base would enable military personnel to detain individuals crossing the border unlawfully for trespassing on federal military property. Legal scholars and immigrant rights organizations argue the move exceeds presidential authority and undermines civil liberties, prompting court action.
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) responded to the incident in a public statement Tuesday night, calling for a full investigation into the accident: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two service members today near Santa Teresa. My thoughts are with their families, loved ones, and fellow service members during this difficult time. With the recent deployments and the new mission at the Southern border, we must fully review the circumstances surrounding this incident. We owe it to them — and all who serve — to ensure their safety is never compromised.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressed condolences on behalf of the Department of Defense, noting, “We are very saddened to learn of the tragic accident… that took the lives of two of our nation’s heroes and seriously injured another. Our prayers are with the families and the unit affected by this loss.”
Military officials have not yet confirmed the exact type of vehicle involved in the crash or what caused the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
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