Illegal Immigrant Killed & Several Injured in Crash Fleeing Border Patrol

DEMING, NM – A Border Patrol Agent assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Checkpoint in Deming, N.M., reported a black Acura SUV had circumvented the checkpoint and was travelling northbound on Highway 11 at approximately 12:36 p.m. on September 18, 2021.

A Border Patrol Agent assigned to the checkpoint then travelled northbound in a Border Patrol vehicle to catch up to the SUV while another Border Patrol Agent in a different Border Patrol vehicle also attempted to locate the vehicle. Border Patrol Agents located the Acura approximately six miles north of the checkpoint and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop near Mile Marker 19.

The vehicle did not stop and continued for approximately a half mile until the driver lost control and crashed.

Multiple occupants were ejected from the vehicle, which caught on fire. Border Patrol Agents immediately requested emergency medical services, removed the four remaining occupants from the burning vehicle and rendered aid.

The New Mexico State Police, Deming Fire Department EMS, and Native Air EMS responded to the location. Native Air transported two individuals to the University Medical Center in El Paso and seven individuals were transported to the Mimbres Memorial Hospital in Deming, N.M.

A Medical Examiner arrived at the scene and declared a female citizen of Ecuador deceased. A few hours later, five of the individuals that were taken to Mimbres Memorial Hospital were airlifted to University Medical Center for further medical care.  

This incident is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the New Mexico State Police and reviewed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility and the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was also notified of the incident.