5 Hurt In Minivan Crash While Fleeing Border Patrol: CHP

BOULEVARD, CA – A woman and four men suffered minor to moderate injuries when the minivan they were riding in crashed while they attempted to flee Border Patrol agents in Boulevard, authorities said Wednesday.

Border Patrol agents attempted to stop the Mazda minivan around 5:05 p.m. Tuesday near Olde Highway 80 and McCain Valley Road, but the 23-year-old woman driving the minivan fled, California Highway Patrol Officer Travis Garrow said.

The Mazda driver was traveling southbound on Shasta Way, just south of state Route 94, at a high speed around 10 minutes later when she lost control of the minivan after it hit a dip in the road and the vehicle went off the south side of the road before hitting a steel fence and a utility pole, he said.

The minivan overturned and eventually came to a rest on its wheels, Garrow said.

Four men, who were lying in the back passenger area of the minivan and were unrestrained at the time of the crash, suffered minor to moderate injuries, the officer said.

A 25-year-old man and a 27-year-old man were taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, while a 24-year-old man and a 39-year-old man refused medical aid on scene and were taken into Border Patrol custody, Garrow said, adding that all four men claimed to be residents of Mexico.

The 23-year-old woman driving the minivan was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego for treatment of minor injuries, then released into Border Patrol custody, Garrow said.

Alcohol and drugs were not believed to be factors in the crash, he said.

Border Patrol agents were handing the criminal investigation, while CHP officers were investigating the crash.

AND FROM TUESDAY: 2 Killed, 1 Injured In Crash While Fleeing Border Patrol: Police

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