Traffic stop fails, but 2 hurt in crash near Delta

4/27/2010

DELTA, Ohio - A failed traffic stop initiated by agents from the U.S. Border Patrol ended when a van went off the highway and overturned Sunday evening on the Ohio Turnpike near Delta, authorities said.

Both occupants of the van suffered minor injuries. Antonio Perralta, 22, and Carlos Chavez Martinez, 25, both of Puebla, Mexico, were treated at Fulton County Medical Center, Ohio Highway Patrol Lt. Michael Wiederman said.

Authorities did not identify the driver.

The van was westbound on the Ohio Turnpike near the Elmore exit when a Border Patrol agent noticed "road-rage characteristics" in a construction zone and found several individuals listed as the owner of the vehicle during a check of the Arizona license plate, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Andrew Patterson said. Though the vehicle failed to stop, the agent did not pursue the vehicle in chase. "They were never in sight, once they took off," Agent Patterson said.

Troopers from the Ohio Highway Patrol responded to the wreck about 7:30 p.m. Sunday about 45 miles west when the van went off the highway near Delta, Ohio Highway Patrol Lt. Michael Wiederman said.

The driver fled on foot and was arrested by Fulton County sheriff's deputies, Lieutenant Wiederman said.

Those in the van could face deportation, Agent Patterson said.