A driver pursued by California Highway Patrol officers from Orange County to the U.S.-Mexico border in San Ysidro died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Saturday night, authorities said Monday.
Officers had initially tried to pull the 38-year-old driver over for speeding in a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado in San Clemente around 7:45 p.m., authorities said. “However, the vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated,” a CHP spokesperson said in a news release.
“CHP discontinued the pursuit out of concern for public safety due to the evading driver’s continued high speeds and reckless driving behavior,” the spokesperson added.
CHP and Customs and Border Protection officers stopped the truck about 8:35 p.m. just before the Mexican border at the port of entry, where the driver died by suicide after a 25-minute standoff, authorities said.
Videos posted on social media showed drivers in the southbound lanes waiting to enter Tijuana being ordered out of their cars to take cover nearby. Border commuters were seen crouching in nearby areas, including behind vehicles at the self-declaration customs area and behind concrete barriers, videos show.
In one video, officers could be seen pointing guns at a parked vehicle as someone yelled, “Let me see your hands!”
A CBP spokesperson deferred questions to the CHP.
No further information was immediately available.
