ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Erick Perez Hernandez jumped head first from an Interstate 70 highwall early today landing more than 70 feet below the Belmont County deputy attempting to arrest him.

Law enforcement agencies searched by land and air today to track down the suspected illegal alien who is feared dead.

Hernandez was one of 11 suspected illegal immigrants detained in a traffic stop at 12:08 a.m. in the eastbound lane of I-70 between Bridgeport and St. Clairsville. Hernandez told arresting deputy Aynsley Hildebrand he would not go back to Mexico as he ran from the van he was driving. Hildebrand said he chased Hernandez across both lanes of I-70 before Hernandez dove over the retaining wall to the earth and stone below.

"The first thing I did was call for a squad because I thought he was dead," Hildrebrand said.

Hildrebrand used a flashlight to watch Hernandez after the fall. He said it appeared the suspect landed "on his face." The deputy said he thought Hernandez was unconscious for more than 20 seconds before he again fled. Hildrebrand said he believed Hernandez had a broken leg and was badly bleeding from the fall.

Belmont County Sheriff's Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol cruisers scoured the areas between Bridgeport and St. Clairsville today in the search for Hernandez. An Ohio State Highway Patrol airplane called in for the search circled the area. Deputies searching creeks in Blaine emerged from the woods with their pants soaked above the knees. Sgt. Tom DeVaul said blood trails and footprints were followed in the search for the suspect. Several deputies said they suspected they would find Hernandez dead.

The 10 other suspected illegals were transported to the Belmont County Jail. They are facing felony charges, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was contacted by sheriff's officials.


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