http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/border/103969

Tucson Region
Mexican man dies; run over by agent
By Michael Marizco
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 11.24.2005

The U.S. Border Patrol is investigating how one of its agents ran over a Mexican national last Friday, officials said.

The incident happened around noon on a dirt road near Papago Farms on the Tohono O'odham Reservation, said Tucson sector spokesman Gustavo Soto.

He said a Border Patrol agent was following a vehicle he believed had crossed into the United States illegally.

The vehicle turned back, heading south with the agent in pursuit, when one person "exited the vehicle," Soto said.

The pursuing agent ran over the Mexican national as he tried to avoid the vehicle, Soto said.

Soto said the man died at the scene but it has not yet been determined if the man was in the country illegally and what caused him to "exit the vehicle."

The agent, whom Soto did not identify, is on administrative leave and has worked as a Border Patrol agent since July 2003.

Tohono O'odham executive assistant Adam Andrews declined to give any information, saying only that "the situation is under investigation. I will not make any further comment."