Border Patrol Agent Nearly Assaulted

A suspected immigrant smuggler on Wednesday tried to run down a U.S. Border Patrol agent from Yuma.

At 5 p.m., a Border Patrol video surveillance camera operator witnessed a large group of suspected illegal immigrants cross the Salinity Canal near County 9th Street. Agents spotted the vehicle as it approached the intersection of County 9th Street and Somerton Avenue, the release said.

An agent attempted to stop the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, but the driver ignored the agent's request and continued driving east before turning around and heading back toward the levee and the Colorado River. The agent then tried to deploy a tire spike strip to stop the Suburban.

As the vehicle approached the agent, the driver accelerated and steered toward the agent in an attempt to hit him. The agent moved out of the way and avoided injury, according to the release.

The vehicle turned around and headed east toward Yuma. As it approached Yuma city limits, the agent lost sight of the vehicle and contacted the Yuma Police Department with its description and last known location, the release said.

California Highway Patrol contacted Border Patrol agents at 5:40 p.m. to report that a vehicle matching the description of the suspected smuggling vehicle had been located. After the driver failed to yield to CHP officers, while traveling on Interstate 8 at a high rate of speed, the vehicle became disabled. The Sun was unable to reach CHP to determine how the SUV was disabled.

Two occupants tried to flee but were found and apprehended. A search of the vehicle revealed 16 additional people inside, according to the release.

All 18 occupants were taken into custody and were determined to be Mexican nationals illegally in the U.S. The agent that was nearly hit by the vehicle responded to the scene and positively identified the 17-year-old driver, the release said.

CHP officers found the vehicle was reported stolen from Mexicali in an armed carjacking and was also being investigated by Mexican authorities, the release said.

The FBI was contacted about the assault. The driver faces charges of reckless driving and possession of a stolen vehicle, as well as prosecution by the U.S. Attorney's Office for assault on a federal agent, illegal entry and human trafficking. The Mexican Consulate was notified and will be involved in the process, according to the release.

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Nicole Squibbs can be reached at

nsquibbs@yumasun.com or 539-6855.