The Devil's Highway

Summary Cont.

The Devil's Highway: A True Story

Also included in the beginning of the story is the point of view of the Border Patrol agents stationed in the region of Southern Arizona. It describes the types of incidents they've had to be encountered with because in the desert of this particular area it is very deadly. Agents have recovered numerous dead bodies of Mexican runaways left in appalling and gruesome conditions. Most of the bodies were of men but a few of them were of women along with their children found still clinging to their mothers. The bodies are described to be burned nearly black from the brutal sun, shrunken into a fetal position, and arid of all liquids once present. The names of all the agents and workers at the station are listed in this particular section of the book.

By: Luis Alberto Urrea

Presented By: Jasmin Medrano

Middle Summary

Characters

• Reymundo Barreda- hopes to find a good job to earn money to re roof his home as a loving gesture towards his wife
• Reymundo Barreda Jr.- son of Reymundo Barreda sr., 15 years old, good student, soccer star at his school
• Luis Cercas-brother of Daniel Cercas, smuggles humans for a living across the border
• Daniel Cercas- brother of Luis, also a human trafficker
• Mike F.- Border Patrol agent at Wellton station in Arizona, discovers the survivors
• Don Moi Garcia- head of the "business" ,member of the Cercas family (Luis and Daniel)
• Mario Castillo Fernandez-25 yrs.old newly married with two children, wanted to raise money for his children's schooling
• Enrique Landeros Garcia-32 yrs.old, married, can't afford to send their son to school
• Rafael Temich Gonzalez-28 yrs.old, corn farmer, supports his entire extended family
• Reyno Bartolo Hernandez- 37 yrs.old, married, adopted a daughter, decides to raise money to take better care of her
• Nahum Landa-in his twenties, soft spoken, brother-in-law of Reymundo Sr.
• El Negro-shadowy and notorious.coyote (highly paid smuggler)
• Jesus Lopez Ramos- the mastermind behind the operation, also a coyote (Mendez/Santos)

In the middle of the book, the author goes further into detail of each of the character's personal lives. He explains their reasons for being on the expedition, and even involves the detailed lives of the smugglers. He writes about the past history of the smuggler's business and why they do it. The character especially talked about is Santos because he is the most notorious for his business and ingenuity.

Beginning Summary

Beginning Summary Cont.

Based on a true story told by Luis Alberto Urrea.

This book describes the true horrors experienced by a group of twenty-six men who attempt to travel to California illegally for each of their individual needs, which is mainly work, to earn extra cash for their families. They must pass through the desert of southern Arizona, an area known as the Devil's Highway, for it is indeed a desolate and ominous place. All of the men that were included in this operation were lured in and lied to by Mexican drug smugglers, in order to seize their money. Most of these men, having nothing to do with such illegality, died vainly and this is the story of how it happened.

All twenty six men met up in the state of Veracruz, Mexico and traveled on a charter bus to a specific out of town area to begin their journey north. After paying Don Garcia (the head of the "business" deal) they depart and begin on the rugged terrains. The author describes haunting legends and stories of the Devil's Highway and tells of the Border Patrol's doing's. The men encounter the sign in which the name states it all..." El Camino del Diablo," but they are determined to not turn back.

Summary Cont.

End Summary

Summary Cont.

The antagonist is introduced which is nature vs. man. The desert plays a harsh game with the characters. They are faced upon with overwhelming heat, dehydration, haunting hallucinations, and longing for home. At this point, most of them have died or been left behind. The challenge is stated? Will they make it to their destination.

After suffering for several days, and losing almost all hope, the remainder of the men collapsed and finally surrendered at nature's will. Within hours the Border Patrol seized them and took them to the station for medical attention and inspection. Because the men had endured bizarre visions, feelings, and extreme heat they had no clothes from when they had torn it off their bodies, and without proper identification , nobody knew who they were. They agents waited until the men were well enough to speak their names. Mike F. is the agent that discovered the men.

After the surviving men were questioned, they were first interviewed by many journalists and reporters. People were fascinated that they could survive a desert of death. This is how this particular book was created. After telling of their memories and experiences they returned home where they belonged and savored. Fourteen of the 26 men survived. It is not known who lives today for this tragedy took place in May of 2001.