Alva Review-Courier -

LAKE CITY, S.C. (AP) — It was supposed to be a fun road trip to Mexico, a post-pandemic adventure for a group of childhood friends.

One was treating herself to cosmetic surgery after having six children. It was a 34th birthday celebration for another.

They rented a white van in South Carolina and set out on the nearly 22-hour trip, shooting silly videos and driving straight through to Brownsville, on the tip of Texas.

"Good morning, America!" Eric Williams said into the camera in the early morning hours after the all-night drive. "Mexico, here we come."

But once they got to Mexico, the trip to...