MURRIETA, Calif., — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Newton-Azrak Station saved a woman trapped inside her smoking vehicle following a severe accident on Tuesday morning when agents encountered the accident involving two civilian vehicles at the Temecula Parkway off-ramp from north Interstate 15. One vehicle was engulfed in smoke with an unconscious woman trapped inside. The vehicle remained in drive with the tires continuing to spin after the collision.

The agents attempted to open the car doors but found them locked and broke the vehicle’s windows to access the unconscious driver. The agents gained access to the inside of the vehicle, removed the driver’s foot from the accelerator, placed the vehicle in park, and safely removed the driver from the smoking vehicle. The agents suffered scrapes, cuts, and smoke inhalation while rescuing the woman and securing the vehicle.

San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel praised the agents’ actions, saying, “Our agents are heroes on a daily basis. They consistently exhibit dedication and courage beyond the call of duty, as they did during this incident. This stands as a testament to our agents’ unwavering commitment to serving our communities.”

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office and EMS arrived on scene to stabilize the woman and transport her to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

This fiscal year, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents have responded to over 4,700 calls for help. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.