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Public Safety

Border Patrol Agent Involved In Crash On Route 78

A Border Patrol agent was airlifted to a hospital this afternoon after his vehicle struck a truck containing a mother and her three children, who were unhurt, authorities said.

The crash happened about 2:20 p.m. on state Route 78, east of Magnolia Avenue, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Pennings.

The 41-year-old agent and a colleague were westbound in a Chevrolet Tahoe that crossed into oncoming traffic for unknown reasons, Pennings said.

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The SUV sideswiped a Ford F-250 carrying a 28-year-old mother and her children, ages 7, 6 and 3, Pennings said. The family escaped injury, he said.

The SUV's driver, whose name was not released, was unconscious when airlifted to a hospital, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, Pennings said. The other agent in the vehicle was not hurt.

SR 78 was closed for a time from Old Julian Highway to Third Street for the crash investigation and cleanup.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.