Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Garcia kills water bill

An agreement has been reached between the Imperial Irrigation District and Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia (R-Cathedral City) on energy issues in the Coachella Valley.

Garcia has pulled Assembly Bill 2564, which could have seen IID water and energy split into two separate entities. Various other agencies and IID have adamantly opposed the bill.

Garcia said in a press release Tuesday that legislative action is no longer necessary with IID's response to giving Coachella voters more say in the energy consumer advisory committee.

Read the full story in tomorrow's paper.

Staff Writer Brianna Lusk

Imperial County Fire Chief announces retirement

Imperial County Fire Chief Fred Nippins on Tuesday announced he will be retiring from the department effective Aug. 15.

Nippins has been with the county for 25 years.

>> Staff Writer Eric Galvan

Surburban with Alaska plates vehicle in rollover

A green Chevrolet Surburban with Alaska license plates appeared to be the only vehicle that rolled over this morning west of Calexico after a pursuit with law enforcement.

One male body was covered with a white sheet at the scene, believed to be a passenger of the surburban.

Border Patrol was reportedly involved in the fatality that killed one female who has not been identified. Fifteen people were reportedly transported to local hospitals, some with major injuries including head injuries, lacerations to the face and possible broken legs. According to scanner traffic, at least one Border Patrol agent was believed to be injured. The extent of all the victims injuries are unknown.

Officials on the scene confirmed law enforcement was in pursuit of the surburban, heading south on Drew Road. As Drew Road nears Highway 98, it curves to the east. Officials have not released details of the pursuit, but it appears the surburban rolled at least once before coming to rest on its wheels.

The fatal victim lay underneath the surburban but did not appear to be pinned by the vehicle. The windshield and roof of the SUV were completely crushed.

Law enforcement officials continued to investigate the scene of the accident and interview passengers of the SUV at the scene. A cause of the accident has not been released.

Victims of accident transported to local hospitals

Approximately 15 victims involved in a rollover accident on Drew Road west of Calexico have been transported or are in route to local hospitals. The accident occurred around 10 a.m. The coroner has been dispatched to the scene for one reported victim who sustained fatal injuries as a result of the rollover. The identity of the victim is unavailable.

At least two Border Patrol agents were reportedly involved in the accident. Their condition is unknown.

According to scanner traffic several patients were described as males aged 20 to 30 years old, with complaints ranging from difficulty breathing to head injuries and face lacerations. All critical patients have been reportedly transferred to area hospitals via ambulance and air ambulance. No additional ambulances are needed at the scene, law enforcement officials said over the scanner at 11:15 a.m..

Details on the rollover accident including how many vehicles were involved are unavailable.

Check ivpressonline.com throughout the day for additional updates as they become available.

Fatal accident involving Border Patrol

A fatal accident that has killed at least one person and involved approximately 15 victims including Border Patrol personnel was reported around 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

The coroner has been dispatched the accident scene at Drew Road and Highway 98 west of Calexico. According to scanner traffic, a law enforcement official told dispatchers, "I need as many ambulances as you can get me here."

Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley and El Centro Regional Medical Center are expected to treat the victims as helicopters were being dispatched to the scene. At least four patients have been said to be critical patients as paramedics are triaging the victims at the remote location for transport.

Additional details of the accident are not available. Look to ivpressonline.com for the latest updates on this ongoing accident.