The accident of a vehicle that transported eleven people and ended up crashing and killing three after being chased by Border Patrol (BP) agents is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Arizona Department of Public Safety reported federal authorities.
The incident occurred last Saturday night, August 7, when a Jeep Liberty fled after bypassing a BP inspection area located near Three Points, AZ.
In a statement, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) explained this Monday night that BP agents tried to locate the Jeep on route SR 86. In the operation they were supported by a CBP helicopter, who managed to locate the vehicle and began to monitor it.
According to CBP, the CBP helicopter pilot observed the Jeep drifting erratically passing several red lights as it continued toward Tucson, AZ. An Arizona National Guard helicopter also intervened in the surveillance.
With the help of air support, BP agents located the Jeep on Interstate 10, and around 8:00 p.m. local time, they attempted to stop it by deploying a vehicle immobilization device (VID) near Picacho Peak.
After crossing the device, the driver of the Jeep lost control of the vehicle, crossed to the other side of the road and collided with a truck.
The vehicle with eleven occupants caught fire as a cause of the crash. Two people died at the scene.
The other occupants were transported to the hospital, one of the people, a man, died in the hospital.
The incident is being investigated by the Bureau of Homeland Security Investigations, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and reviewed by the US Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility.
The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security was also notified.
CBP did not clarify whether the occupants were undocumented immigrants, nor were they identified.
–
