Three people were killed and another eight were hurt when the pickup they were in crashed as Border Patrol officials were in pursuit on Interstate 8 in eastern San Diego County Thursday, authorities said.
Multiple witnesses reported the incident around 4:25 p.m. near Crestwood Road and the Golden Acorn Casino in the Live Oak Springs area, according to California Highway Patrol spokesperson Officer Travis Garrow.
The Chevy Silverado being pursued was carrying 11 occupants — a man and woman in the cab with nine men in the truck bed — and overturned after the agents deployed a spike strip, Garrow told the San Diego Union-Tribune.
“It was spike-stripped by the Border Patrol, continued westbound, went up a dirt and rock embankment and rolled, ejecting either nine or 10 people out of the vehicle,” he said.
CHP’s incident log states that Border Patrol officials advised the truck was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph rolled over after it had been using the center divider and right shoulder to pass other cars.
Border agents have not confirmed why they were chasing the truck.
Cal Fire had said multiple vehicles were involved in the crash, but in video from the scene only shows the Silverado, lying on its side on the freeway’s shoulder perpendicular to the rain-slicked roadway as authorities investigate.
Three of the surviving victims suffered major injuries, while five had minor injuries, fire officials said. Authorities had earlier said 10 people were hurt.
The woman in the pickup was among the dead, Garrow said.
The truck’s driver was taken into Border Patrol custody, according to the Union-Tribune.
Victims were rushed to Sharp Memorial Hospital, CHP stated. Cal Fire said they were being transported via ground because of inclement weather.
Garrow said all the victims were believed to be adults, but he was not aware of their immigration statuses.
Border Patrol did not respond to requests for comment Thursday night.
A long-term closure was in place with traffic was blocked in both directions on the interstate as a result of the crash, and traffic was being diverted around the freeway.