A mechanic warned them. The trailer’s refrigeration unit wasn’t working. But three days later, smugglers still packed 64 migrants into the back of a semi truck. As temperatures soared to 150 degrees, 53 people died in what officials call the deadliest human smuggling attempt in U.S. history. Now, testimony in federal court reveals just how many people knew the trailer was a death trap—and sent it out anyway. This tragedy was shockingly avoidable.

Smuggler ignored mechanic’s warning about failing cooling system

Juan Francisco D’Luna-Bilbao, a mechanic with ties to the smugglers’ operation, testified in court that he warned one of the ringleaders on June 24, 2022, that the refrigeration unit in the trailer wasn’t working. He told the jury he sent a message to “Guero”—identified as Jose Martinez-Olvera, the alleged leader of the smuggling ring—saying: “It’s a good thing that it turns on, but we have to check it out again.”

The smuggler told him to check the unit later, but D’Luna-Bilbao never brought it up again. He testified that he had been warned to follow orders, and he did. The faulty trailer was left in operation.

Smugglers packed migrants into a trailer the mechanic knew was failing

Three days after the warning, the smugglers still loaded 64 migrants into the same trailer for the three-hour trip from Laredo to San Antonio. D’Luna-Bilbao testified that he received a message during the trip from another smuggler saying the cooling unit wasn’t working at all.

By the time the semi-truck arrived in San Antonio, the heat inside had reached a deadly level. The smugglers abandoned the trailer in a remote area, leaving the migrants locked inside with no way to escape.

Mechanic admits role in smuggling ring but denies responsibility for deaths

D’Luna-Bilbao confessed to working on vehicles for the smuggling operation and allowing his address to be used for vehicle registration. However, when pressed by the defense about his role, he denied responsibility for the deaths.

Defense attorney Edgardo Rafael Baez confronted him in court, saying, “So you are a liar.” D’Luna-Bilbao responded, “I am telling the truth now.”

Baez then asked him directly: “Fifty-three people died. Do you feel any remorse?”

The mechanic hesitated before saying, “They are human beings. I’m not an insensitive person.”

Will smugglers face justice for ignoring mechanic’s warning?

Two men accused of organizing the operation—Felipe Orduna-Torres and Armando Gonzales-Ortega—are now on trial. If convicted, they face life in prison.

The warning was clear. The trailer’s cooling unit wasn’t working. But smugglers ignored it, sending 64 people into deadly heat. Now, survivors and families are left with devastating losses, while the accused organizers face life in prison. Whether justice will truly be served remains to be seen.