There has been a great deal in the news about the crisis at our southern border and crackdowns on illegal immigration by border our border patrol and law enforcement agencies around the country. Everyone wants to keep our borders safe, but sometimes accidents can come as a direct result of a seemingly unrelated situation.
According to a news story reported on the Patch.com website, that seems to be what might have happened recently in Boulevard. Five people, all believed to be residents of Mexico, were hurt in a minivan that crashed as they were attempting to evade border patrol officers.
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According to a spokesperson with the California Highway Patrol, the incident happened on Tuesday at approximately 5:05 p.m. near Olde Highway 80 and McCain Valley Road. Border patrol agents had attempted to stop the Mazda minivan being driven by a 23-year-old woman. The woman attempted to flee from officers by speeding southbound on Shasta Way at a high rate of speed.
The woman lost control of her vehicle a short distance away. The minivan veered off the south side of the road after having struck a sudden dip in the road. The vehicle hit a fence and utility pole, sending it into a rollover crash. The minivan eventually ended right side up.
Once authorities caught up to the minivan, they found most of the occupants had been traveling without safety restraints. Reports indicate that five people inside were suffering from mostly minor injuries. Three of the van’s occupants were transported by ambulance to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego. Two of the men who had also been inside the van refused treatment and were immediately taken into custody by border patrol officers.
According to CHP Officer, Travis Garrow, neither drugs nor alcohol played any role in the crash.
The woman who had attempted to elude authorities was treated for minor injuries and taken into custody by U.S. Border and Customs agents.
The accident is currently under investigation by the border patrol and the California Highway Patrol.
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