4 die in rollover; 9 others injured
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Thursday, March 3, 2005
4 die in rollover; 9 others injured
Daniel Borunda
El Paso Times
Four people were killed and nine others injured when a stolen Hummer rolled over as it fled from U.S. Border Patrol agents in an immigrant smuggling attempt Wednesday afternoon north of Columbus, N.M., agency officials said.
"This is certainly a tragedy of immense proportions and serves as a clear reminder of the dangers of human smuggling," Border Patrol spokesman Doug Mosier said.
The Hummer was reported stolen last month in El Paso, the Border Patrol said.
The sport utility vehicle rolled over around 3:30 p.m. on N.M. Highway 11 about eight miles north of Columbus.
A Border Patrol agent spotted the Hummer stopped earlier along the highway leading to Deming, Mosier said. The Hummer sped away when the marked patrol vehicle pulled up behind it and turned on its emergency lights. The Hummer made a U-turn and began to flee south toward Mexico.
The Border Patrol agent didn't chase the vehicle but radioed for help up ahead, Mosier said.
Agents set up tire deflation devices on the road, which the driver of the Hummer swerved to avoid. The vehicle went out of control and flipped several times, throwing out some passengers, Mosier said.
Some of the injured were airlifted to Thomason Hospital. Others were taken to Mimbres Memorial Hospital in Deming.
Columbus Police Chief Clare May said the dead were two men and a woman in their early 20s, and a girl who appeared to be a teenager.
Investigations continue.
The desert area is a busy immigrant smuggling corridor, officials said. Two years ago, a man was killed and eight others were injured in a rollover during a possible smuggling attempt in the area.
The Deming Headlight contributed to this report.
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102.
Border Patrol suspects driver was immigrant smuggler
4 die in rollover; 9 others injured
ttp://www.borderlandnews.com/apps/pbcs. ... 30338/1001
Thursday, March 3, 2005
4 die in rollover; 9 others injured
Daniel Borunda
El Paso Times
Four people were killed and nine others injured when a stolen Hummer rolled over as it fled from U.S. Border Patrol agents in an immigrant smuggling attempt Wednesday afternoon north of Columbus, N.M., agency officials said.
"This is certainly a tragedy of immense proportions and serves as a clear reminder of the dangers of human smuggling," Border Patrol spokesman Doug Mosier said.
The Hummer was reported stolen last month in El Paso, the Border Patrol said.
The sport utility vehicle rolled over around 3:30 p.m. on N.M. Highway 11 about eight miles north of Columbus.
A Border Patrol agent spotted the Hummer stopped earlier along the highway leading to Deming, Mosier said. The Hummer sped away when the marked patrol vehicle pulled up behind it and turned on its emergency lights. The Hummer made a U-turn and began to flee south toward Mexico.
The Border Patrol agent didn't chase the vehicle but radioed for help up ahead, Mosier said.
Agents set up tire deflation devices on the road, which the driver of the Hummer swerved to avoid. The vehicle went out of control and flipped several times, throwing out some passengers, Mosier said.
Some of the injured were airlifted to Thomason Hospital. Others were taken to Mimbres Memorial Hospital in Deming.
Columbus Police Chief Clare May said the dead were two men and a woman in their early 20s, and a girl who appeared to be a teenager.
Investigations continue.
The desert area is a busy immigrant smuggling corridor, officials said. Two years ago, a man was killed and eight others were injured in a rollover during a possible smuggling attempt in the area.
The Deming Headlight contributed to this report.
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102.
Border Patrol suspects driver was immigrant smuggler
