Suit Filed Over Southern California Border Patrol Chase Death

June 19, 2013

The parents of a man who died when his car burst into flames during a Border Patrol chase in San Diego County is suing the government for wrongful death.

Twenty-five-year-old Alex Martin of Texas died in March of 2012. Authorities say Border Patrol agents saw him driving the wrong way on Interstate 8 near Pine Valley and gave chase.

A spike strip blew the car tires when it left the Interstate. An agent fired a Taser electrical stun gun into the car, which exploded in flames.

U-T San Diego reported the lawsuit, filed Friday, argues the Taser shouldn’t have been used because there was a chance of flammable fumes being present.

The paper says a U.S. Department of Justice spokesman declined to comment on the suit.

Topics Lawsuits California

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Latest Comments

  • June 25, 2013 at 2:51 pm
    John says:
    The officer was doing his job as any reasonable, prudent law official would do to protect the public and himself from harm. He was not negligent and certainly did not intend t... read more
  • June 21, 2013 at 8:59 am
    jw says:
    Really, the moron was driving the wrong way and wouldn't stop. Also, who would think a taser could start a fire in a car?
  • June 19, 2013 at 2:59 pm
    Water Bug says:
    This moron was driving the wrong way on an interstate highway and didn't want to stop for the police. I'm sorry he died but he was entirely to blame. BTW Sheriff Joe for Presi... read more

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