A U.S. citizen is in critical condition following an unsuccessful attempt to smuggle undocumented individuals and evade U.S. Border Patrol agents, which led to a rollover crash near Sonoita, Arizona. The incident occurred on Saturday.
The Border Patrol's detection systems identified a suspicious vehicle traveling north from the border near Parker Canyon Lake around 3 p.m. Sonoita Station agents spotted the suspect vehicle, a white Nissan Rogue, on state Route 83 shortly thereafter.
After stopping briefly, three individuals exited the vehicle and ran into the surrounding area, while the car continued north, driving past other agents positioned along the highway. Despite the agents' attempts to stop the vehicle using lights and sirens, the driver did not comply, prompting a pursuit for approximately four miles until a dust cloud was noticed near the intersection of Route 83 and Cimmaron Road.
The authorities found the vehicle overturned with the driver unconscious nearby. Emergency medical services were called, and the driver was moved to safety. Due to the severity of the injuries, a life flight transported the driver to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Three individuals, two from Guatemala and one from Mexico, were apprehended during the incident. They were unlawfully present in the country and now face charges of illegal reentry. The driver is charged with alien smuggling.
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