Fondling female driver loses control and kills people

The driver of a sport utility vehicle crammed with suspected illegal immigrants was fondling a female when he lost control and crashed, killing eight men.

Photo: Fondling female driver loses control and kills people

The accounts, cited by survivors dispute the driver's claim that he was trying to avoid an animal when the SUV rolled a few hours before dawn Monday in southeastern Utah. Six people died at the scene and two more died later while six others were injured, including one critically.

Authorities determined that 11 of the 15 people were from Guatemala and three were from Mexico. Federal agents were investigating the crash as a possible case of human trafficking.

The driver, a Guatemalan, was being held on immigration violations unrelated to the crash. He appeared to have a valid Arizona driver's license.

The vehicle was registered to an owner in Mesa, Ariz., authorities said.