SUV Transporting 19 Illegal Immigrants Crashes in IB

After an initial pursuit Wednesday night of a white GMC Yukon containing 19 illegal immigrants was terminated due to dangerous speeds on Coronado Boulevard, the fugitive vehicle crashed into a Border Patrol unit on Ninth Street and Palm Avenue before the driver stopped and fled on foot from a parking lot near 11th Street and Palm Avenue.

When the chase ended at 10:05 p.m. Wednesday, an injured woman who was six months pregnant was taken to a hospital, and all 19 passengers were arrested for illegal entry into the United States. Arrested were 18 Mexican nationals and one Uruguayan national.

The incident began when “Border Patrol in the IB area noticed a suspicious white GMC Yukon” travelling eastbound, just north of the secondary fence, south of Monument Road, according to Michael Jimenez, spokesman for the San Diego Sector Border Patrol.

Agents attempted to stop the vehicle by activating sirens and lights, but it fled, driving north on Hollister Street, where it “reached a high rate of speed,” Jimenez said. 

“The vehicle turned left on Coronado Boulevard, driving in a dangerous manner westbound into oncoming traffic in eastbound lanes,” Jimenez said.

Due to the vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road, and chase speeds in excess of 80 mph as well as foggy conditions, the Border Patrol terminated the pursuit.

“A short time later an agent saw the vehicle traveling eastbound on Palm Avenue at Fifth Street, traveling at legal speed,” Jimenez said. An agent attempted to stop the SUV, activating the lights and siren, but the vehicle sped away.

Traveling eastbound on Palm Avenue, the vehicle then turned right on Ninth Street heading southbound on the wrong side of the road, where it collided with a second Border Patrol unit, a GMC Yukon that happened to be going northbound. 

“The (fugitive) Yukon continued to give it gas until he was able to push past the Border Patrol vehicle, and drove over the median, onto the sidewalk ... where he damaged the oil pan.”

Now leaking oil, “the Yukon was on fire when it continued eastward on Palm Avenue again,” said Jimenez. 

The vehicle came to a stop at a parking lot at 1100 Palm Ave., where the driver exited the vehicle and attempted to run. He was apprehended nearby.

One passenger who was six months pregnant was transported to the hospital for evaluation. Her further condition and location have not been reported.

A male Border Patrol agent suffered bruising and a cut to the chin from the accident on Ninth Avenue. He was treated by paramedics on the scene, and no further treatment was needed.

The remaining 18 passengers were arrested and transported to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing.

The driver remains in custody, facing alien smuggling charges, and the Yukon was confiscated by the Border Patrol.

Jimenez said that 19 illegal immigrants in one van, let alone in an SUV, is a high number.

It is unknown exactly where the vehicle crossed the border, however it is possible that the SUV may have driven “through the grating below the fence,” in the area south of Monument Road, according to Jimenez.