CAMPO, Calif. — Two U.S. Border Patrol agents were assaulted Tuesday morning as they attempted to arrest a man involved in an alien smuggling event.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:17 a.m., when agents patrolling westbound Interstate 8 initiated a vehicle stop on a white 2007 Ford F-350 pick-up east of Kitchen Creek Rd. near Campo.

The driver of the pick-up initially pulled over, but as agents gave verbal commands, the driver sped off at a high rate of speed. The pursuit continued westbound on Interstate 8 toward the immigration checkpoint near Pine Valley.

Agents successfully deployed a controlled tire deflation device as the driver sped past the checkpoint. The driver continued on Interstate 8 exiting Sunrise Highway and came to a stop near Interstate 8 and Sunrise Highway. Agents witnessed the driver, later identified as a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, get out of his truck and flee on foot. Agents lost sight of the man as he attempted to flee.

As agents began their search, the man jumped out of a nearby bush and attacked one of the agents, tackling him. As they wrestled on the ground another agent arrived on scene and the struggle to subdue the man continued. After a few moments, the agents successfully put handcuffs on the man and placed him under arrest.

Inside the F-350 pick-up, agents discovered three Mexican men, and one Mexican woman who were all illegally present in the U.S.

The four Mexican citizens were transported to a local Border Patrol station for processing, while the driver will be charged with alien smuggling and assault on a Federal officer.

“The Border Patrol like any Law Enforcement job is inherently dangerous. The Border Patrol is comprised of a highly trained, multi-disciplined work force. Our agents are trained and equipped to properly confront any situation they may encounter in the field,” said San Diego Sector Acting Division Chief Patricia McGurk-Daniel. “The ambush and assault of our agents will not be tolerated and this case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in order to protect our workforce and the community.”

The driver and agents sustained several cuts and bruises, but required no immediate medical attention.

The pick-up truck was seized by the Border Patrol.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.