Tucson teenagers speed away from agents with people in trunk

TUCSON – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Nogales Station Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint apprehended a male driver and female passenger after they fled from inspection and were found to have two illegal aliens in their trunk.

Agents attempted to perform an immigration inspection on the driver and passenger of a Dodge Avenger, who then fled from the checkpoint at a high rate of speed and subsequently lost control and crashed on Interstate 19 near post 45 in Arivaca.

Upon arrival, agents discovered a 24-year-old female Mexican national and a 19-year-old male Mexican national hidden in the vehicle’s trunk. Agents arrested both the 19-year-old driver and 18-year-old passenger from Tucson, for human smuggling and the Mexican nationals for immigration violations.

No one involved in the crash required medical attention but Border Patrol officials continue to warn the public about the dangers of riding in the trunk.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Contacting the Border Patrol to report illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.