Man suspected of DUI claims life of 10-year-old boy

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents were the first to respond to a tragic car accident on New Years’ Eve.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:13 p.m. when three agents assigned to the Indio Border Patrol station responded to a two-vehicle accident on the southbound lanes of the Highway 86 near the checkpoint. One vehicle was occupied by an adult man and the other by an adult woman and two children.

The agents arrived at the scene and immediately proceeded to save the occupants of both vehicles. One of the vehicles had rolled on its side which made it difficult to remove the victims from the wreckage.

Together, three agents used all their physical power to turn the vehicle upright. The agents were then able to get the woman and the two children out from the vehicle. After assessing their injuries, agents began to administer first aid.

Agents realized that one of the children, a 10-year-old boy, was suffering from severe traumatic injuries and was in need of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). They immediately requested Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and began to administer CPR. The agents continued CPR efforts for 45 minutes until EMS arrived on scene.

The 10-year-old child with severe trauma was taken to a local emergency hospital where he later died.

“I am extremely proud of the lifesaving efforts that our Indio Station Border Patrol agents rendered,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “Many times our agents respond to emergency situations that require them to rely on their training and act quickly to save a life.”

The adult man in the other vehicle and the adult woman with the other child in the overturned vehicle suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The man was arrested by CHP for suspicion of Driving Under the Influence.