On September 2, 2022, at approximately 12:21 p.m., an off-duty Border Patrol agent observed a group of suspected undocumented migrants located approximately 17 miles west of Winterhaven, Calif. The off-duty agent notified El Centro Sector Border Patrol Communications and Border Patrol agents were dispatched to the area. At approximately 12:30 p.m., a Border Patrol agent located a group of three individuals, including an unresponsive woman, later identified as a citizen of Mexico. The agent immediately requested Emergency Medical Services and other agents in the area responded to render assistance. Agents placed the woman, who was unresponsive but breathing, inside an air-conditioned Border Patrol vehicle and utilized cold wet garments to attempt to cool her down while awaiting EMS.
Medical personnel from American Medical Response EMS arrived on scene and took over medical care at approximately 1:07 p.m. AMR transported the woman to the Yuma Regional Medical Center in Yuma, Arizona at approximately 1:13 p.m. The woman was subsequently admitted into the medical center while under Customs and Border Protection hospital watch.
On September 3, 2022, the woman was processed in accordance with CBP guidelines, released from CBP custody, and remained at the medical center in critical condition. On September 7, 2022, the woman succumbed to her ailments and was declared deceased by medical personnel.
This incident is being reviewed by the Yuma County Medical Examiner’s Office and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was also notified.