Oct 26, 11:13 PM EDT


Immigrants flee Ariz. authorities in desert, canal

GILBERT, Ariz. (AP) -- More than a dozen suspected illegal immigrants ran from police into the desert or jumped in a canal near Gilbert on Sunday. One woman drowned.

Gila River Indian Community spokeswoman Alia Maisonet says a van filled with 17 people fled police around 12:30 p.m. and drove into the desert before everyone got out and scattered.

One woman pulled from the canal was pronounced dead at the scene. A second woman was airlifted to a local hospital; her condition is unknown.

Authorities are draining the canal to search for a third person.

Nine people who fled police were found in the desert near the San Tan Mountains and taken into custody. Five others were arrested near the van.

Maisonet says Gila River police began following the van because it looked suspicious.

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