San diego man pleads guilty in pt. Loma boat crash that killed three migrants

A man who piloted a boat that crashed near Point Loma during an apparent human-smuggling operation, leading to the deaths of three people and injuries to more than two dozen others, pleaded

guilty Wednesday to federal charges. Antonio Hurtado, 40, a U.S. citizen and San Diego resident, was indicted by a grand jury in connection with the May 2, 2021, crash that killed

41-year-old Maria Eugenia Chavez-Segovia, 35-year-old Maricela Hernandez Sanchez and 29-year-old Victor Perez Degollado. Hurtado, who authorities alleged was steering the vessel that

capsized about 50 yards from the shore around 10 a.m., was hospitalized along with 29 others. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that at some point during the journey, Hurtado lost

consciousness while driving the boat due to being under the influence of controlled substances. Prosecutors say people aboard the boat had to wake him after the boat traveled aimlessly in

circles for more than an hour. Engine failure and rainy conditions led the vessel to eventually drift toward land, where it ran aground, sending the occupants into the water. According to

court documents, migrants who were aboard the boat said they paid between $15,000 and $18,500 to be smuggled into the United States and identified Hurtado as the vessel’s captain. Hurtado

also pleaded guilty to a count of assault on a federal officer for striking a Border Patrol agent in the head with his knee after he was arrested. He was set to go to trial next month in

connection with the fatal crash prior to entering guilty pleas Wednesday in San Diego federal court. “This was a horrific tragedy that never should have happened,” said U.S. Attorney Randy

Grossman. “Because of the incomprehensible and stunning recklessness of the defendant on that terrible day, three people died and many others had to be rescued from rough seas.” “The

defendant’s boat was packed with way too many people, and he then repeatedly used illicit drugs to the point of losing consciousness. When the boat capsized and passengers were desperately

trying to survive, the defendant swam to safety, leaving them all behind. It was a shocking and callous series of events,” added Grossman. UPDATED AT 5:20 P.M. APRIL 6, 2022 _City News

Service contributed to this article. _