Man dies following Peace Arch incident

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that a U.S. citizen died last month after being apprehended for driving the wrong way at the Peace Arch border crossing and running from officers. The man likely died due to a major artery blockage, according to CBP.

CBP detailed the following account in an October 23 press release.

An unnamed U.S. citizen was driving a white Mercedes Benz the wrong way on a southbound exit ramp at the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine at 10:13 p.m. on September 20. The driver crashed into a curb, stopping in grass south of the primary lane booths, before running north toward the primary lanes. A Glock 26 handgun fell from his waist. Cocaine, marijuana, ketamine and a THC vape was later found on him.

A CBP officer called 911, while other officers requested the man surrender. The man, who wasn’t complying, was taken into custody after falling. Officers handcuffed him in front of his body as well as put leg restraints on him.

At 10:25 p.m., just over 10 minutes after the incident began, the officers moved the man, who they placed in a wheelchair, to a secondary area.

At 10:30 p.m., the officers laid the man on his side atop of a mat in the secondary area. Officers tried to wake him and called 911 again after he didn’t respond. An officer assessing the man could not find a pulse and began chest compressions before using an automated external defibrillator a minute later.

At 10:42 p.m., Whatcom County EMS arrived and attempted to save the man’s life until pronouncing him dead at 11:11 p.m.

The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on September 22 that had preliminary results showing the man had a major artery blockage. The toxicology report and official findings will be released when the report is complete.

The CBP Office of Professional Responsibility is reviewing the incident and has notified the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.