10 dead after overloaded van believed to be carrying at least 2 dozen crashes in south Texas

• A Ford passenger struck a utility pole in Encino, Texas, on Wednesday, local media reported.
• Ten people were killed and 13 injured, local media reported.
• The van had the capacity to hold 15 people.

A van carrying at least two dozen people - and as many as 30 - slammed into a utility pole in Encino, Texas, on Wednesday, killing 10 passengers and injuring 13 others inside.

Local ABC affiliate KRGV reported that the van had a 15-passenger capacity, citing a statement from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Authorities believe the van was carrying undocumented immigrants, the outlet reported. It is not yet clear why they believe so.

According to local NBC affiliate Valley Central, the crash was reported at around 4:20 p.m. local time.

The department did not immediately return a request for comment.