Two suspected illegal immigrants killed after Border Patrol chase
By: ELLIOT SPAGAT - Associated Press | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- Two suspected illegal immigrants died in a fiery head-on crash after the driver of a pickup fled the Border Patrol and swerved into oncoming traffic on a winding, rural road, authorities said Wednesday. Several people were seriously injured.
The Border Patrol halted its pursuit after reaching the 55 mph speed limit, said spokesman Quinn Palmer.
Agents later spotted a plume of smoke several miles away and found the pickup in flames on a two-lane road near Ocotillo, a desert hamlet about 70 miles east of San Diego, he said.
Pablo Arnaud, Mexico's consul in Calexico, said survivors told Mexican officials that a green and white vehicle -- the Border Patrol's colors -- pursued the truck until the crash Tuesday afternoon.
The 1994 Dodge Dakota carried eight suspected illegal immigrants from Mexico, two of whom died, authorities said. A man was pronounced dead at the scene and a woman died later at a San Diego-area hospital.
Arnaud said the driver ignored the migrants' pleas to slow down as he raced toward San Diego.
The driver, who suffered moderate injuries, was arrested and will be charged with felony vehicular manslaughter. He was identified by the California Highway Patrol as Daniel Lopez of Mexico.
Lopez, who was not wearing a seat belt, swerved into the opposite lane on county Highway S-2 and struck a 2007 Toyota Corolla, whose 68-year-old driver slammed on his brakes, the CHP said. The driver and a passenger, both from the rural community of Valley Center, suffered major injuries but were expected to survive.
The pickup overturned and caught fire, ejecting several passengers, the CHP said. Survivors were being treated at several Southern California hospitals, including one person with life-threatening injuries.
The Border Patrol said agents used spike strips in an unsuccessful attempt to puncture the pickup's tires.
Smugglers have defied the Border Patrol on curvy, mountain roads east of San Diego by traveling at dangerous speeds and swerving into opposite traffic -- sometimes at night with their headlights off. In December, a 26-year-old man was sentenced to 19 years in prison for leading agents on wild chases.
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Same old story wrote on Jun 28, 2007 3:46 AM:Once again the U.S. taxpayers pick up the tab for the medical care of illegal border crossers. This is just an idea but what if we put up a good fence to prevent this from happening over and over and over again??? Nah, nevermind.
Madam Patriot wrote on Jun 28, 2007 7:52 AM:Conflicting stories here. In the near future their will be a press conference from the Mexican Consulate saying the agent(s) violated the rights of their people. The Border Patrol agent(s) must be in the wrong for chasing these poor migrants which ended in the death of two people, and therefore must be punished. El Presidente will summon Asst. DA Johnny Sutton from Texas to prosecute.
Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jun 28, 2007 7:54 AM:This is a clear reason why we need an impenetrable wall built at the border and triple the size of the US Border Patrol. Mexicans are sneaking in here and causing havoc, crime, death, and destruction. They have absolutely no stake in any of our communities, nor respect for our laws. As for the smugglers, it's all about money and greed. Bottom line, illegal aliens are NOT the people we want living next door.
Nick wrote on Jun 28, 2007 8:12 AM:Here we go....let's here all the Lib's start blaming the Border Patrol and not the actual criminals. Ready, 3,2,1...
Trump Card wrote on Jun 28, 2007 9:17 AM:A plethoral of laws violated, breaking into the country, human smuggling, driving without insurance or license, and not wearing a seat belt then hit and run, fleeing the scene of an accident? Doesn't this tell us that there is absolutely NO regard for our laws? And, congress wants to reward this behavior with amnesty? There is some big corporate money behind this bil which trumps the pocketbook of the middle class American taxpayer.
Troy wrote on Jun 28, 2007 9:28 AM:This doesn't need to keep happening if our government would just inforce our laws, build the fence, and crack down on business owners that hire illegals.
Ed wrote on Jun 28, 2007 9:54 AM:This is exactly why we need a rock solid border fence monitored by armed personnel.
esteban wrote on Jun 28, 2007 10:25 AM:Of course now the US will take the word of the Consulate and prosecute the Agents for protecting us.
tired old lady wrote on Jun 28, 2007 12:21 PM:I am so tired of seeing this kind of disrespect of our laws from these illegals...I have been watching it happen for over 25 years, and simply cannot understand why we will not stop it. Our government is out of control.
Ed wrote on Jun 28, 2007 1:42 PM:I just hope these Border Patrol Agents don't end up in jail like some of the others just doing their jobs...
Time for a tax revolt wrote on Jun 28, 2007 2:48 PM:as jorge bush is so fond of saying....you can't expect us to jail 50 million Americans for non payment of taxes because the government will not obey the will of the people can you?
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