Undocumented immigrants injured during chase involving BP agents, alleged smuggler

A chase involving a Border Patrol agent and an alleged human smuggler resulted in a rollover wreck that sent 19 undocumented immigrants, including the driver, to area hospitals, a Border Patrol officials said.

The single-vehicle wreck happened on State Highway 9, just outside Columbus, New Mexico, said Captain Martinez with the Luna County Sheriff’s Office.

The wreck, reported at 6:30 a.m., involved a Ford F-250. Martinez told ABC-7 the initial call went out as a Border Patrol pursuit. New Mexico State Police and the Luna County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance.

The Border Patrol said its agents were responding to reports of illegal activity in the are when they encountered the Ford pick-up. One of the agents ran the vehicle’s plates and discovered the plates had been reported stolen .

At that point, the agents ordered the driver of the pick-up to stop, but the driver allegedly refused, made a u-turn and attempted to drive back to the U.S.-Mexico border.

During the chase on a dirt road, the Ford pick-up rolled. Its driver and several occupants were thrown from the vehicle.