On July 4, 2024, a man died after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 19 near Nogales, Arizona. The incident occurred around 10:55 p.m. when a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) from the Nogales Station observed two men suspected of being undocumented noncitizens near the frontage road parallel to the southbound side of the interstate.

The BPA monitoring the surveillance system alerted other agents in the area. At approximately 11:00 p.m., two BPAs approached with their vehicle’s emergency lights off and saw two individuals walking along the highway on the interstate side of a barbed wire fence. As they exited their vehicle, one agent reported hearing a loud sound and saw a man running south along the highway. The agent pursued him along the frontage road until he stopped.

Upon reaching him, it became apparent that one of the men had been struck by a vehicle on the highway. At approximately 11:04 p.m., BPAs called for assistance from emergency medical services and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office (SCCSO). One BPA assessed that the injured man suffered severe head injuries and was not breathing.

Other responding agents located the civilian vehicle involved in striking the man farther south along the roadway and directed SCCSO officers to it upon their arrival at approximately 11:09 p.m. Emergency medical technicians arrived at about 11:19 p.m., assessed his injuries, and declared him deceased.

By early morning on July 5, troopers from Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) took control of both scene and decedent’s remains but found no identification on him. Around 1:01 a.m., CBP Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Special Agents interviewed another individual who had traveled with deceased across border into United States; he provided only limited information about identity other than nickname indicating Mexican origin.

Pima County Office Medical Examiner took custody remains at approximately half-past three morning while an autopsy conducted five days later awaits official report pending review ongoing investigation involving multiple agencies including OPR itself alongside Arizona DPS as well as Border Patrol coordinating efforts toward identifying decedent whom Department Homeland Security Inspector General notified regarding matter presently under scrutiny involving nation’s largest law enforcement organization U.S Customs Border Protection tasked safeguarding America facilitating lawful travel trade ensuring economic prosperity enhancing security through innovation intelligence collaboration trust