On April 13, 2022, at approximately 9:01 a.m., a vehicle circumvented the Laredo North Border Patrol checkpoint. A Border Patrol agent observed the vehicle driving northbound on the west access road and the agent drove behind the vehicle in an attempt to conduct a record query on the license plate. The driver of the vehicle accelerated and merged northbound. The agent activated his USBP vehicle’s overhead lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop but the driver of the Honda vehicle failed to yield and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The agent notified a supervisor of the pursuit and reported the vehicle was travelling at approximately 100 mph. The pursuing agent broadcasted road and traffic conditions and asked dispatch to request assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Encinal Police Department.
At approximately 9:08 a.m., a Texas DPS vehicle joined the Border Patrol agent in the pursuit. The vehicle exited the highway and continued driving eastbound on Texas Highway 44. Shortly thereafter a Border Patrol agent allowed Texas DPS and EPD to take lead roles in the pursuit for approximately 40 miles. At approximately 9:29 a.m., as EPD was the lead pursuit vehicle, the driver of the Honda Civic lost control of the vehicle and crashed. EPD, Texas DPS, and the Border Patrol arrived and rendered aid to four injured occupants of the vehicle. The agent immediately requested emergency medical services and requested air evacuation support.
At approximately 9:44 a.m., Methodist Air Care Evac 2, Methodist Air Care Evac 93 and the Duvall County EMS arrived at the scene. Methodist Air Care Evac 2 transported an injured woman to the Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. A short time later, Methodist Air Care Evac 93 transported an injured man to the University Hospital in San Antonio. Duvall EMS transported the male driver to a helicopter landing pad in Freer, Texas and was subsequently air lifted to Spohn Shoreline Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. USBP did not attempt to identify the injured occupants of the vehicle nor establish hospital watch.
An unidentified woman was declared deceased at the scene by EMS personnel. Texas DPS assumed lead of the accident investigation and initiated a criminal investigation against the driver of the Honda Civic.
This incident is being investigated by the Texas DPS and reviewed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility and the Webb County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was notified of the incident.