Suspected smuggler dies while fleeing from Border Patrol agents

December 15, 2009 4:00 PM
Ana Ley
SOUTH OF DONNA -- A suspected smuggler died this morning as he fled from Border Patrol agents near the Rio Grande, officials said.

Agents spotted the man's vehicle as he drove away from the river about 7 a.m. this morning, Border Patrol spokesman Joe Treviño said. When the man noticed the agents, he turned back toward Mexico and attempted to drive across the border but his car stalled at the river.

Agents rushed to the scene and found the man's body near the vehicle, Treviño said. A cause of death remains unclear, and authorities are not yet sure whether the man jumped out of the vehicle or whether he was ejected.

"He just tried to get away," Treviño said. "He had an accident."

Authorities found nearly 800 pounds of marijuana inside the vehicle.

At least one shot was fired during the incident, said Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño, whose department is investigating the man's death.


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