Man dies from pneumonia after crossing US-Mexico border near Lukeville

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Roque Caza, Area Port Director of Calexico | Official Website

Man dies from pneumonia after crossing US-Mexico border near Lukeville

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A man from Ecuador died after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border near Lukeville, Arizona, on December 28, 2024. The incident was reported as part of the CBP policy on Notification and Review Procedures for Certain Deaths and Deaths in Custody.

The event began when two U.S. Army soldiers operating a mobile surveillance system observed a group entering the United States by circumventing the Border Barrier approximately 9.8 miles west of the Lukeville Port of Entry (POE). One individual in the group collapsed, prompting notification to nearby Border Patrol agents (BPAs).

Responding BPAs found the man responsive but fatigued, having not eaten for ten days. They transported him to the Lukeville POE where an emergency medical technician assessed him as dehydrated and attempted intravenous fluid administration without success.

An ambulance was requested when his condition worsened. Although medical personnel continued efforts to stabilize him during transport to meet an air ambulance, his pulse stopped at mile marker 74.5 on State Route 85. A physician remotely declared him deceased before he could be transferred by air ambulance.

The Pima County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and determined that mixed viral pneumonia with focal myocarditis caused his death naturally.

CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing this incident while the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General has been notified.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is recognized as America's largest law enforcement organization, tasked with safeguarding borders through innovative measures and collaboration.

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