San Diego, CA–A driver fleeing U.S. Border Patrol agents after failing to stop was arrested after he crashed and ejected three passengers, killing one near Jamul, authorities said.
On Dec. 25, at approximately 5:59 p.m., National Guard personnel operating a mobile surveillance platform observed a suspicious vehicle later confirmed to be a black Honda Accord Sport, driving southbound on Miniwawa Truck Trail near Jamul approximately six-and-a-half miles north of the U.S./Mexico border. Around ten minutes later, the camera operator observed the vehicle returning northbound on Miniwawa Truck Trail at a high rate of speed and advised Border Patrol agents through radio. Border Patrol agents assigned to the area responded to the location.
At approximately 6:02 p.m., a Border Patrol agent driving a marked Border Patrol vehicle attempted to perform a vehicle stop near the Pio Pico campground by activating his overhead lights. The driver of the Honda Accord stopped momentarily, then fled and drove through a nearby trailer park within the campground. Another Border Patrol agent in a marked Border Patrol vehicle parked near the trailer park exit waiting for the Honda Accord.
At approximately 6:03 p.m., the driver of the Honda Accord struck the Border Patrol vehicle while exiting the trailer park and then continued driving eastbound on Otay Lakes Road with Border Patrol agents in pursuit. At approximately 6:04 p.m., the driver of the Honda Accord drove off an embankment near mile marker 10 and crashed, ejecting three occupants from the vehicle. Border Patrol agents immediately requested emergency medical services. The driver of the Honda Accord, who was not ejected from the vehicle, attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by Border Patrol agents after a short foot chase.
Two other Border Patrol agents, both certified Emergency Medical Technicians, arrived at the scene and rendered aid to the ejected occupants lying on the ground. A short time later, Cal Fire Department medical personnel, California Highway Patrol, and Mercy Paramedics arrived on the scene. One occupant, a citizen of Mexico, suffered head trauma and was later declared dead on the scene by a medical examiner.
Medical personnel transported the driver and one passenger to Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego and the other passenger was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego.
The incident is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being reviewed by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office and the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was also notified.
