On October 22, 2024, a suspected smuggling incident resulted in the deaths of two individuals after a high-speed chase near Otay Mesa, California. The incident began at approximately 9:33 a.m. when remote video surveillance operators detected potential smuggling activity involving a silver Infiniti sedan at the Customs Export Facility near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
A Border Patrol agent attempted to intercept the vehicle as it exited the facility but was unsuccessful in locating it. Later that afternoon, at approximately 2:13 p.m., operators reported two individuals climbing over a border barrier and entering a sedan in the same parking lot. The vehicle was identified as the suspect car from earlier.
At around 2:18 p.m., a Border Patrol canine unit observed the silver Infiniti on State Route 905 and initiated a pursuit. The vehicle accelerated to over 100 miles per hour before losing control and crashing into a California Department of Transportation truck. The crash resulted in the car overturning and coming to rest upside down on SR-905.
Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene. A man believed to be the driver was found conscious on the north shoulder of SR-905, while another man remained inside the vehicle with injuries requiring stabilization until emergency services arrived. A woman ejected from the vehicle suffered extensive trauma and was declared deceased by CalFire paramedics at approximately 2:36 p.m.
The injured man and driver were transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital for further medical attention. Unfortunately, later that evening, at approximately 7:15 p.m., hospital staff declared the man extracted from the car deceased due to his injuries. The driver, identified as a U.S. citizen, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The California Highway Patrol and San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office are conducting investigations into this incident. Additionally, CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing it while notifying the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
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