Border Patrol agent seriously injured after being struck by semi-truck near Sierra Blanca checkpoint

A U.S. Border Patrol agent was seriously injured when he was struck by a semi-truck late Tuesday night near the Sierra Blanca border checkpoint and was rushed to University Medical Center in El Paso for treatment.

The Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office initially confirmed the injury to ABC-7, and Customs and Border Protection officials offered additional details about the incident on Wednesday.

The CBP said the incident began around 10:15 p.m. when a stolen car failed to stop at the checkpoint and agents gave chase along Interstate 10 for about four miles. At that point, the driver lost control of the car, crashing near mile marker 105 and then fled on foot.

It was during the foot chase, CBP officials said, that an agent was inadvertently struck by the truck. The eight-year Border Patrol veteran remained hospitalized Wednesday in very serious condition.

“We ask that you please keep our agent, his loved ones, and his peers in your thoughts and prayers,” said Matthew Hudak, the chief patrol agent for the Big Bend Sector.

Authorities said the driver of the stolen car was taken into custody by other agents.