A FAMILY is suing the US federal government claiming the explosion that killed their son was caused by a border patrol agent firing a taser gun through the passenger side window of his car.

A FAMILY is suing the US federal government claiming the explosion that killed their son was caused by a border patrol agent firing a taser gun through the passenger side window of his car.

A dashboard video being used in the trial emerged on the internet last week and shows some horrifying images of the incident that resulted in the death of 25-year-old Alex Martin.

As the plain clothed patrol agents approach the car, they appear to do little to engage the driver and smash the passenger side window with a torch. The agent then draws his taser gun and shoots in the direction of the driver which appears to spark a huge explosion, throwing the agents backwards.

According to local San Diego media, the family’s lawyer, Gene Iredale said Mr. Martin had been driving for 22 hours on his way back from Texas when he got lost in Pine Valley, California. Court documents state border patrol agents tried to pull him over for driving the wrong way on an interstate highway. However as they were in unmarked cars, Mr. Martin failed to pull over.

A resulting high speed chase came to an end when the victim drove over road spikes which led to the events that unfold in the video.

After the agents fires the taser gun, the car immediately explodes and bursts into flames. Despite the border patrol vehicles reportedly containing fire extinguishers, the agents make no attempt to save the driver and quickly move their own vehicles away from the scene.

Mr. Iredale believes a container of gas had leaked in the car, which provided the flammable material ignited by the taser gun. He alleges the agent should have smelled the gas fumes wafting out of the car and restrained from firing the electric weapon.

While the US border patrol has said they cannot comment on the ongoing trial, the federal government sought to have the case thrown out citing the previous criminal behaviour of the victim.

However no decision has been made on the federal request and as the case continues, Mr. Iredale remains confident of a successful outcome for the victim’s family.

“This was a senseless act in a senseless way for somebody who had violated no law and who lost their life needlessly,” he said.