Van Rolls Over After Chase; 16 Injured

A van carrying 19 illegal immigrants rolled over Sunday night after a chase by California Highway Patrol officers on Interstate 8 east of El Cajon, injuring 16, officials said.

CHP units began following the van after the U.S. Border Patrol advised the agency that a vehicle was traveling the wrong way on roads and highways in the Alpine area, said Officer Brian Pennings.

After the van was observed switching to the correct side of the road on Interstate 8, officers were instructed to turn off their lights and sirens and follow at a distance.

As the van traveled at 90 to 100 mph, its tires started undergoing “tread separation,” causing it to roll over several times on the dusty center divide of the highway about 8:54 p.m., officials said.

CHP units arrived a few seconds later when “everybody was running all over the place in all directions,” Pennings said. “With the help of our air unit, we believe we were able to locate and take into custody all 19 occupants.”

“At no point did we deploy spike strips,” Pennings said.

The van’s riders, immigrants from Mexico and Brazil, were taken to area hospitals with minor to major injuries, none life-threatening. Officials said Sunday no one had been arrested in the incident because the occupants have not identified a driver.

CHP impounded the van and continued to investigate, Pennings said.

“Once we conclude our investigation, they’ll be turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol,” he said. “What happens from there is up to the Border Patrol.”