John_In_Dakota

** And these people want to be allowed in this country? **


SAN DIEGO -- A van crammed with 54 illegal immigrants was detained Monday after the driver took them on a wild ride in the wrong direction on several freeways, ripping the van's tires on spikes near the Mexican border.

The blue Ford XLT 350 drove north over spikes in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry shortly after 3 a.m., according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

The van, which was believed to have silicon in its tires to prevent the tires from leaking, continued to travel north in the southbound lanes of Interstate 805 before exiting at the Palm Avenue on ramp, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Damon Foreman said.

A shredded tire eventually ended the ride and the driver pulled over on the freeway near the 43rd Street exit in San Diego. The driver and 53 passengers ran away.


Agents apprehended 54 Mexican nationals, including the driver, who was found hiding in a trash bin near 43rd Street, Foreman said.

During the wild ride, the van looped back onto I-805 traveling north in the correct lanes then exited onto Plaza Boulevard in National City. The driver got back onto the I-805 freeway using an offramp and once again sped away in the wrong direction until the van's tires began to shred, Foreman said.

A few vehicles were clipped during the incident, but no injuries were reported, Foreman added.

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Thankful for everything...at least today.