Border Patrol Agent Nearly Struck by Vehicle Fleeing Inspection

A person attempting to avoid detection at a Tucson Sector Border Patrol immigration checkpoint led agents on a pursuit. After stopping one time, the driver fled again and hit a Border Patrol vehicle, nearly striking an agent.

Border Patrol agents observed a Ford Fusion approaching the Federal Route 15 Immigration Checkpoint shortly after midnight Wednesday morning. The driver failed to stop for the inspection and sped away, according to Tucson Sector officials.

At one point, the driver abruptly stopped and one of the two passengers jumped out and fled on foot. The driver took off again and agents continued the pursuit. After a few miles, the driver stopped a second time. As agents approached the Fusion, the driver again sped away–nearly striking an agent, officials stated.

The driver continued the pursuit for two more miles before stopping a third time. The driver, once more, attempted to drive away but he struck a patrol unit ending the chase. Agents apprehended the man and a female passenger.

The agents conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered the reason the driver attempted to avoid inspection. The vehicle contained a package with 30 grams of methamphetamine. Officials estimated the value of the drugs to be more than $2,500.

Because of the nature of the pursuit, the agents were unable to find the passenger who fled on foot after the first stop.

Agents arrested the driver, a 23-year-old man from Sells, Arizona. He is charged with assault on a federal agent, possession of a controlled substance, and high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint. The agents released his 27-year-old female passenger.

Officials seized the drugs and the Ford Fusion. The vehicle, methamphetamine, and the driver were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.

Between October 1, 2017, and March 31, More than 300 Border Patrol agents have been assaulted in the line of duty, according to the latest information available from U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.