8 people killed in running over outside Texas immigrant center

U.S. investigators at the scene of the vehicular accident. Reuters

At least eight people were killed when an SUV crossed a red light and hit a group of people waiting for a bus outside an immigration reception center in the US state of Texas, police said.

Law enforcement said they were treating it as an accident for now, although one witness told AFP that the driver hurled insults at the group before speeding up.

Police spokesman Martin Sandoval told AFP the grey vehicle skipped the red light and ran over several people in the southernmost border town of Brownsville.

He said seven people were killed and about 10 others were wounded. US media later reported that one person had died of his injuries in hospital.

Witness Luis Herrera, who was injured in the arm in the incident, said it was surprising and that a woman had passed by a car and warned them to stay off the road.

The 36-year-old Venezuelan said it was a matter of moments when the killer came in the car, pointing at them and insulting them, explaining that the driver was speeding with all his might.

The victims were among a group of 25 people waiting at a bus stop, according to Victor Maldonado, executive director of the Ozanam centre, a shelter across the street where the incident took place, described as a horrific scene, with body parts along the street.