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  4. Two die in vehicle accident transporting undocumented migrants in New Mexico

Two die in vehicle accident transporting undocumented migrants in New Mexico

Release Date
Sat, 08/06/2022
El Paso Sector
For More Information
Contact Landon Hutchens (202) 407-4241

Updated Statement:

On July 27, 2022, at approximately 4:05 a.m., a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) driving an unmarked U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) vehicle was conducting roving patrol duties on New Mexico Highway 9 (HW 9) and observed a Chevrolet Tahoe driving westbound near mile marker 144.  Several minutes later, the BPA saw the same Tahoe drive past his location heading eastbound on HW 9 and the vehicle appeared to be carrying more weight than when he initially observed it.  The BPA followed the Tahoe and noted the vehicle was driving slower than the normal rate of speed for the highway.  At 4:35 a.m., the BPA broadcasted over his service radio that he was going to perform a vehicle stop on the Tahoe near the Santa Teresa USBP Station, located on HW 9 approximately three and a half miles northwest of the Santa Teresa Port of Entry.  

 Two BPAs, driving an unmarked USBP vehicle, exited the Santa Teresa USBP Station and drove east on HW 9.  The two BPAs saw the Tahoe driving behind them as they approached the intersection of HW 9 and Pete Domenici Boulevard.  The BPA behind the Tahoe activated his USBP vehicle’s emergency lights to perform a traffic stop on the Tahoe.  The two BPAs in front of the Tahoe also activated their USBP vehicle’s emergency lights.

 The Tahoe drove around the first USBP vehicle and drove north on Pete Domenici Boulevard.  As the Tahoe passed the USBP vehicle, a BPA took note of the license plate on the Tahoe and broadcasted it over the service radio.  The BPAs reportedly deactivated their emergency lights and allowed the Tahoe to continue driving north on Pete Domenici Boulevard.  The BPAs did not broadcast over the service radio that the pursuit of the Tahoe was terminated, and they continued to drive in the same direction maintaining visual contact with the Tahoe.

 A Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (SBPA) driving an unmarked vehicle was monitoring radio communications and was driving in the vicinity of Pete Domenici Boulevard and Strauss Road. The SBPA observed the suspect vehicle approaching behind him and decided to turn east on Airport Road to avoid the suspect vehicle. The driver of the suspect vehicle also turned east on Airport Road and continued to drive behind the SBPA. The driver of the Tahoe drove around the SBPA’s vehicle utilizing the shoulder and continued driving eastbound on Airport Road. The SBPA reportedly continued driving east on Airport Road and did not activate his unmarked Border Patrol vehicle’s emergency equipment. The supervisory agent observed a cloud of dust and vehicle headlights pointing up at approximately 4:41 a.m.

The SBPA immediately requested emergency medical services (EMS) and the assistance of other BPAs in the area due to what he believed was a vehicle accident.  The SBPA arrived at the intersection of Airport Road and McNutt Road and saw the Tahoe in a ravine on the side of the road and realized that power lines were down across the road due to the Tahoe having struck a utility pole.  Shortly thereafter, the other BPAs initially involved in the pursuit arrived at the crash site and blocked traffic to prevent civilians from striking the downed power lines. 

Based on the review of surveillance footage from local businesses, along with the review of radio communications, CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility determined BPAs attempted a traffic stop which led to the Tahoe failing to yield to the agents.  BPAs reportedly pursued the Tahoe for a short distance and then deactivated their emergency lights.  OPR’s investigation revealed the BPAs continued to follow the Tahoe after they reportedly terminated the pursuit and were in close proximity of the area when the Tahoe crashed at the Airport Road and McNutt Road intersection. Approximately three minutes and forty seconds transpired between the time BPAs attempted to stop the vehicle and when the SBPA broadcasted a crash had occurred.  The total distance between these two locations was approximately 4.89 miles.

OPR’s investigation of this incident continues. 

Original Statement:

On July 27, 2022, at approximately 4:05 a.m., a Border Patrol agent driving an unmarked U.S. Border Patrol vehicle was conducting roving patrol duties on New Mexico Highway 9 and observed a Tahoe driving westbound near mile marker 144. The agent observed the vehicle drive past his location heading eastbound on HW 9 and the vehicle appeared to be carrying more weight than when he initially observed it. The agent proceeded to follow the vehicle and noticed that it was driving slower than the normal rate of speed for the highway.

The agent continued following the vehicle for approximately two miles, towards the intersection of HW9 and Pete Domenici Boulevard. Just before arriving at the intersection, the agent attempted to stop the vehicle by activating his unmarked Border Patrol vehicle’s emergency lights at approximately 4:37 a.m., but the driver of the Tahoe turned north on Pete Domenici Boulevard. The vehicle continued driving at the speed limit but ignored the agents emergency lights, so the agent activated his vehicle’s siren and the driver of the vehicle accelerated, failed to yield, and continued driving north on Pete Domenici Boulevard. Due to the high rate of speed the vehicle was going, the agent deactivated his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren and discontinued following the vehicle but continued driving north on Pete Domenici Boulevard.

A Supervisory Border Patrol agent driving an unmarked vehicle was monitoring the radio communications and was driving in the vicinity of Pete Domenici Boulevard and Strauss Road. The supervisory agent observed the suspect vehicle approaching behind him and decided to turn east on Airport Road to avoid the suspect vehicle. The driver of the suspect vehicle also turned east on Airport Road and continued to drive behind the supervisory agent. The driver of the suspect vehicle drove around the supervisory agents vehicle utilizing the shoulder lane and continued driving eastbound on Airport Road at a high rate of speed. The supervisory agent continued driving east on Airport Road and did not activate his Border Patrol vehicle’s emergency equipment. The supervisory agent observed a cloud of dust and vehicle headlights pointing up at approximately 4:41 a.m..

The supervisory agent immediately requested emergency medical services and the assistance of other agents in the area due to what he believed was a vehicle accident. When he arrived at the intersection of Airport Road and McNutt Road he observed the suspect vehicle in a ravine on the side of the road and realized that power lines were down across the road due to having struck a utility pole. Additional agents arrived at the crash site and blocked traffic to prevent civilians from striking the downed power lines.

A short time later, the Sunland Park Fire Department, EMS, and Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue agents arrived on the scene and started tending to the injured occupants of the vehicle. There were a total of 13 suspected undocumented migrants in the suspect vehicle. EMS Medics transported four migrants to the Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, for further medical evaluation and additional medics transported six migrants to the University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. One migrant was uninjured and transported to the Santa Teresa Border Patrol station. Two migrants trapped underneath the suspect vehicle, both citizens of Mexico, were declared deceased on the scene by EMS medical personnel.

This incident is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and is under review by the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility. DHS Office of Inspector General was also notified.

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Last Modified: Jan 04, 2024