Border Patrol vehicle involved in accident that seriously injures 2

The Wellton Police Department, with the assistance of the Yuma County Sheriff's Office, is investigating a collision involving a Yuma Sector Border Patrol vehicle and a golf cart that seriously injured two Wellton residents.

The accident happened at approximately 7:55 p.m. on Oct. 3 near Avenue 28E and Old Highway 80. According to Lt. Cannon Ball of the Wellton Police Department, the preliminary investigation found that the golf cart, with two occupants, was traveling west in the 28000 block of Old U.S. Highway 80 when it was struck from behind by a marked Border Patrol vehicle driven by Agent Nicholas Ramirez.

The occupants of the golf cart have been identified as Charles Logan Keiser and Pedro Noriega Jr. Both Keiser and Noriega sustained significant injuries in the collision.

Keiser and Noriega were both transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. Noriega, however, was later flown to Phoenix due to the extent of his injuries. Ramirez was not injured.

“Due to the significant injuries of the two subjects involved and the extensiveness of the collision scene, we are taking great care in how the investigation is conducted,” Ball said. “There are a lot of unknowns at this time that will not come to light immediately and we do not want to jump to conclusions as to what occurred on the night of the collision.”

Agent Enrique Zarate Jr., of the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office, said the Sector is cooperating fully with the investigating agencies, but he could not provide any additional details about the incident while the investigation is ongoing.

The Wellton Police Department asks anyone who may have information regarding the accident to contact Sgt. David Rodriguez at 785-4887.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.