Driver abandons moving cab carrying illegal immigrants

U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Yuma sector apprehended 10 illegal immigrants in a taxicab that was abandoned by its driver during an agent pursuit through a Yuma neighborhood.

A tip about a suspicious vehicle led agents to a local taxicab at 3 a.m. Tuesday. The driver failed to yield for a traffic stop, and the agent followed the taxicab until the driver and one passenger jumped from the moving vehicle and fled on foot into an apartment complex near the intersection of 10th Avenue and 2nd Street, according to Border Patrol spokesman Lloyd Easterling.

The driverless taxicab continued down 10th Avenue with the doors open, striking a parked vehicle. Agents saw an occupant trying to steer the vehicle from the backseat. Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop after traveling two blocks, according to a news release from the patrol.

Agents on scene immediately checked the taxicab and found five people in the back seat and five more in the trunk. There were no injuries, according to the release.

All 10 were Mexican nationals who were taken into custody and later transported to the Border Patrol's Yuma station for processing, the release said.

The driver is being sought in connection with the smuggling incident. Yuma Police officers also responded to the accident scene and are investigating. Additionally, they are seeking the driver of the taxicab for possible prosecution on charges of hit and run, fleeing the scene of a crime and endangerment, the release said.

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Nicole Squibbs can be reached at nsquibbs@yumasun.com or 539-6855.