BOULEVARD (NEWS 8) - Three people were killed and eight others injured late Thursday afternoon when a truck being chased by border patrol agents crashed on Interstate 8 in Boulevard, according to authorities.
According to authorities, U.S. Border Patrol attempted to conduct an enforcement stop on a driver of a white Chevrolet Silverado in eastern San Diego County.
The driver of the Chevrolet did not yield to the Border Patrol's marked vehicle – leading agents onto I-8 westbound at a high rate of speed.
After Border Patrol deployed a spike strip the driver of the Chevrolet lost control, became airborne and rolled down a dirt embankment – landing on the main lanes of westbound I-8.
There were 11 adults in the Chevrolet, including the driver, at the time of crash.
Authorities believe there were two occupants in the cab of the Chevrolet and the rest of the passengers were lying in the bed of the pick-up. According to authorities, the driver was the only one who was restrained while the rest of the passengers were ejected from the vehicle.
Three of the passengers were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The remaining eight individuals sustained moderate to major injuries and were transported to several San Diego hospitals.
The driver of the Chevrolet, who is believed to be a U.S. citizen, is in custody with U.S. Border Patrol, but is being treated for his injuries at a hospital.
The names of the driver and passengers have not been determined.