Two Border Patrol Agents Killed in Arizona Crash (US)
The Associated Press
12 May 2011
GILA BEND, Ariz. --
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio (ar-PEYE'-oh) has confirmed that two U.S. Border Patrol agents have died in crash involving an SUV and a freight train in southwest Arizona.
Arpaio tells The Associated Press the FBI will be taking over the investigation.
Border Patrol Agent Michael Espinoza tells the AP the agents were assigned to the Yuma sector. Authorities have not said what led to Thursday's crash but the Border Patrol was investigating.
Television video shows a lengthy freight train with what appears to be a mangled vehicle in front of the train's engine. Tarps were placed over some of the wreckage.
The crash occurred near Interstate 8 several miles west of Gila Bend and just over 100 miles east of Yuma.
Update;
The wreck happened near Gila Bend, about 85 miles southwest of Phoenix. Television video from the scene shows a freight train with a mangled SUV in front of the train's engine.
Yuma Border Patrol sector spokesman Agent Kenneth Quillin says the two agents were trying to position themselves on a road north of the other agents when the crash occurred. He says the suspected illegal immigrants were on foot and none of them have been arrested.
The agents' names are being withheld pending notification of family.
WARNING
Some may find the contents of the video below very upsetting. I know I did. I do hope the family and friends of the dead officers and the train driver DO NOT see this video. It is just awful.
Mangled Police Vehicle/Freight Train Video
RIP Officers
Condolences and Best Wishes to their Families.