The incident began around 9:45 p.m. Monday when agents from the Campo area attempted to pull over a vehicle they suspected could be carrying illegal immigrants or drugs, U.S. Border Patrol agent Julius Alatorre said.
The driver sped off and agents radioed ahead for assistance from agents at an eastbound Interstate 8 checkpoint in the Jacumba area, according to Alatorre, who said the checkpoint agents set up a spike strip to deflate the vehicle's tires when it passed through.
As the vehicle approached the checkpoint, it suddenly veered toward agents and one of the agents opened fire, Alatorre said, adding that no one was injured and the vehicle continued on. An earlier police report incorrectly stated the agents were fired on.
A few minutes later, the vehicle crashed on I-8 at In-Ko-Pah-Park Road. Three people were taken to the hospital, according to a Cal Fire dispatcher. A fourth person was tended to later in the evening after complaining of pain while in custody at the Border Patrol station in Boulevard, she said.
Alatorre said no agents were seriously hurt.
All nine people who were inside the suspect vehicle during the incident are Mexican nationals, according to Alatorre.
The driver, whose name and age were not immediately released, faces charges of smuggling and assault of a federal agent, he said.
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