Border Patrol agent dies in ATV accident while patrolling border in south Texas

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A customs agent died early Wednesday in an all-terrain vehicle accident while patrolling the border in south Texas, authorities said.

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According to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the accident happened at about 1 a.m. CST near Mission, Texas, along the border with Mexico.

The agent, who was based in McAllen, was tracking a group of people who had crossed the border illegally, The Monitor of Brownsville reported.

The CBP release stated the agent was found unresponsive by his fellow agents, who attempted CPR.

The agent was taken to an area hospital and died there, the agency said.

“The death of an agent who died while securing our nation’s border is a tremendous loss for our organization and our nation, our prayers are with his family and co-workers during this difficult time,” U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz said in a statement.

The agency did not release the identity of the agent and declined further comment, according to The Associated Press.

However, in a Facebook post, the San Benito Police Department identified the agent as Raul Gonzalez and expressed its condolences.

“Today, we mourn alongside our RGV Sector Border Patrol Family on the loss of Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez,” the department wrote. “Agent Gonzalez tragically passed away in the line of duty early this morning in an ATV crash.”

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