Cessna Citation Latitude crashes on Laredo highway, one dead

A Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet went down on Laredo's Loop 20 highway shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday, killing one individual. The aircraft, which had taken off from Los Cabos International Airport at 6:19 p.m., struck a highway barrier and caught fire, leaving the plane on its side with the tail separated from the fuselage.

Police investigators said six people were aboard the jet, though it remains unclear whether the fatality occurred among the passengers or on the ground. No ground injuries were reported, but five Laredo police officers required hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as motorists abandoned their vehicles to try to break the cockpit window and free occupants. One driver, Zayra Garza, recorded video of the crash and reported seeing three teenagers and a pilot exit the aircraft, while another crew member attempted to pull an unconscious person from the cabin.

NetJets, the operator of the aircraft, confirmed the incident involved one of its jets and said it is cooperating with authorities.

"It looked like part of a movie. I was in shock," Garza said. "What was worrying me was the fire. I was concerned that it could have just exploded at any time," she added.