http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... 05-ON.html


3 immigrants injured after truck falls into canyon
Associated Press
Feb. 5, 2007 07:51 AM

TUCSON - Three undocumented immigrants were injured after their truck plummeted into a canyon north of Tucson during a chase with Arizona authorities.

The immigrants were fleeing from a Department of Public Safety officer who was trying to pull them over for speeding on Friday, said agency spokesman Tim Mason.

The chase began when the officer spotted the speeding pickup on Arizona 77 near Oracle. The officer put on his lights and siren, and the pickup sped up.

Mason said the officer followed the truck for less than a mile when the truck went off the road and plunged about 40 feet into a canyon.

The pursuing officer and another officer providing backup then climbed down into the canyon.

"They saw the vehicle go down, and the first thing they do is go into police mode, with their first concern being to make sure that everyone is OK and that everyone gets the medical attention they need," Mason said.

When the officers reached the truck, they found three injured passengers who were then flown to University Medical Center.

Authorities believe there were at least seven other people in the car who fled after the crash. They searched the desert, but did not find anyone.

The three injured passengers were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol after treatment. Mason did not say where they were from or what their gender or ages are.

DPS has begun an internal investigation.