U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Laredo Sector encountered a vehicle that failed to yield on Highway 83 south of Rio Bravo, Texas, Friday at 4:02 p.m. EDT. Agents deployed a controlled tire deflation device, and as a result, the driver of the silver GMC pickup truck stopped the vehicle. Multiple subjects then bailed out of the vehicle and into the surrounding brush. Agents apprehended 11 individuals who attempted to flee, including the driver who is a juvenile, U.S. citizen. Additionally, agents encountered an individual in the cab of the truck who was unresponsive. Agents immediately attempted to resuscitate the individual and continued life-saving efforts until emergency medical services arrived. EMS transported the individual to a hospital nearby where he remained in critical condition. Laredo Sector notified Homeland Security Investigations and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and referred the incident to the State Attorney’s Office. The driver is in the custody of the Webb County authorities. Despite Border Patrol agents’, EMTs’ and hospital staff’s best efforts to save this individual’s life, he died at approximately 10:35 a.m., EDT.
Vehicle attempts to evade law enforcement
U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Paso Sector responded to a report of a suspected smuggling incident Saturday, at 8 p.m. EDT, near mile marker 131 on highway 9 in New Mexico. Agents encountered the grey minivan identified by the report, which failed to yield to emergency lights and sirens.
As a result, agents deployed a controlled tire deflation device on Highway 9 at mile marker 142. The vehicle swerved away from the device, rolled over and two people were ejected. Agents immediately provided emergency care, and contacted emergency medical services and the New Mexico State Police. Border Patrol emergency medical technicians and a U.S. Coast Guard medical team assigned to the Santa Teresa Station also responded.
The Dona Ana Medical Examiner pronounced the two individuals who were thrown from the vehicle to be deceased. Of the 11 people in the vehicle, EMS transported five with non-life-threatening injuries to a hospital nearby. Agents identified the driver as a 27-year-old male, U.S. citizen. The identities of the deceased will be withheld pending notification to family members. El Paso Sector also notified Homeland Security Investigations and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
