Illegal car crash [Archive] - Debate Policy

SassyLady

09-24-2010, 12:50 AM

what you said is funny.....

but what is sad is that we, the taxpayer, has to pay the medical bills for any of those who were caught and had to go to the hospital for injuries.

Another van rolls over - 25 people in it.

Van full of undocumented aliens flee police, crash into canal

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Monday, March 9, 2009 2:25 PM MST
A white 2003 Dodge van carrying 25 undocumented aliens crashed into an irrigation canal near Thatcher on Sunday morning. The van was attempting to avoid law enforcement and was unable to maneuver a turn on a dirt road, according to a report from the Graham County Sheriff's Office.

Thatcher Sgt. Everett Cauthen told the Courier that Thatcher officer Bradlee Norton attempted to initiate a stop on the vehicle at about 6:15 a.m., but the vehicle would not yield. Sgt. Cauthen is the acting head of the department while Police Chief Mark Stevens is on vacation.

The Sheriff's report states Norton followed the vehicle westbound on Highway 70 and watched it pull into the Giant gas station off First Avenue in Thatcher. He passed by the location while he waited for license plate information to come back and then returned. As the gas station came into view, he noticed the van exit and head north on First Avenue.

Norton told deputy Brad Johnson he attempted to initiate a stop, but the vehicle accelerated and would not yield. As officer Norton approached the section of road where the pavement ends, he said it was very dusty and he disengaged his chase due to poor visibility and safety concerns.

Sgt. Cauthen told the Courier that Norton continued northbound on the dirt portion of First Avenue at a slow pace as the dust settled and eventually came upon the van wrecked in a canal at the end of the road.

According to Johnson's report, the van was traveling at a high rate of speed and could not negotiate a turn that traveled over the canal. It drove straight into the canal, initially impacting on the front passenger side.

Johnson wrote that the driver was identified as Juan Jose Rascon-Guillen of Mexico. Evidence at the scene indicate Rascon-Guillen was driving, but he would not speak to officers and denied being the driver.

Cauthen told the Courier that Norton immediately called for rescue agencies, and Pima Rescue, the Thatcher Fire Department and Southwest Ambulance all responded to the scene.

According to the Sheriff's Office report, two passengers were airlifted from the scene to the University Medical Center in Tucson, and at least nine others were transported to other hospitals in the state after initially being seen at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. The remaining 14 occupants were turned over to the Border Patrol after being cleared by the hospital. The Border Patrol also took over control of the investigation and seized the van.

MGRC public information officer Ryan Rapier told the Courier the recent opening of an additional six emergency room bays and previous disaster drill training allowed the hospital to efficiently handle the situation. He said the hospital called off its disaster code at 11:30 a.m. and the emergency room was able to resume its normal operations. Rapier said the entire operation went "unbelievably smooth."

Cauthen said his department appreciated all of the help from the various agencies and said everyone worked well together to make sure the occupants were taken care of.

http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2009/03/10/news/breaking_news/doc49b578838b897031669871.txt