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Prior to Car Submerge, Another Car Rolled Into Water: Suit

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One man died in December after a car landed in the San Diego Bay from the parking lot of Loews Coronado Resort. Now, an attorney for the victims in the collision has filed a lawsuit, alleging the resort was negligent in the incident.

Early Sunday, December 18, Harbor police pulled a car that was submerged in 12 feet of water near the popular restaurant and hotel.

The vehicle drove from the parking lot outside the result and into the water at approximately 1:35 a.m.

Two people were pulled from the vehicle and rushed to the hospital, Coronado Police said. One of the victims died from his injuries.

NBC7 reached out to Loews Coronado Resort for comment, but we have not yet heard back.

At a news conference Monday, Attorney James Frantz said his client Carlos Rodriguez and his family want only to warn the public about unsafe and unpermitted parking lots on hotels near bays in San Diego.

Frantz said Loews Resort knew or should have known a crash like this could happen.

Just months prior to the December 2016 crash that ended Rodriguez's life, a Loews employee drove over the side in the same spot. The employee was not injured.

Frantz said Loews just repaired the flimsy fence and left his client to do the same a month later.

"This is an accident that never should have happened," Frantz said.

Frantz said the parking lot is in violation of the City of Coronado building and permitting codes. NBC 7 checked with a spokeswoman for the city and will update this story when she replies. 

"The most incredible thing about Loews misconduct in this case is to this date they have not changed anything. So, when is the next death going to take place on this roadway here into Loews Coronado hotel?"



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

New List of Schools in SDUSD Lead Testing Process

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NBC 7 has learned the names of 18 more schools that have had water samples taken in the school district's plan to test water at all schools on district property before the end of the school year.

Included in this week's list of schools are ALBA San Diego, Garfield and Patrick Henry high schools along with Roosevelt and Pershing middle schools and a number of elementary schools and charter schools located on district property.

San Diego Unified School District is publishing test results for each school here.

NBC 7 is mapping the schools and the results. Parents can view how the testing is going and click on each location for updates and links to test results.

As schools test for lead in their drinking water, they are required by the state to fix problems if they discover lead in water at levels greater than 15 parts per billion (ppb).

One elementary school in San Ysidro found lead in its water at more than 200 ppb and it replaced its pipes and faucets.

Approximately 17 schools throughout the county have found lead between 5 ppb and 15 ppb - levels at which they are not required to take action under state guidelines.

In 2009, California’s health department, OEHHA, set the public health goal for lead in drinking water at 0.2 parts per billion.

The California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics maintain there is no safe level of lead in drinking water provided to children.

Lead poisoning in children can cause symptoms ranging from headaches and hearing or speech problems to learning and behavioral problems or damage to the brain and nervous system.

The potential for lead contamination in the water supply is greater in buildings built before 1986, according to health, water and city experts.

There are 447 schools across San Diego County built before 1986.

See our map of schools where the risk is greater here.

NBC 7 is gathering our coverage of concerns regarding drinking water in our special section "Safe to Drink?' here.


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Caught on Cam: Men Wanted in Connection With 5 Robberies

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San Diego County Sheriff's deputies (SDSO) are searching for five men wanted in connection with a series of robberies across San Diego County. 

The men, seen in multiple surveillance videos released by authorities, are wanted in connection with five robberies which took place between Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, 2016. 

The suspects robbed two 7-Eleven stores in Lemon Grove and Spring Valley during that time; the men also robbed three gas stations in the City of San Diego, officials said. 

In every case, the men would enter the stores, point a gun at the clerk and demand money, authorities said.

The robberies ended when the suspect(s) walked out with cash in their backpack and fled. 

One of the clerks who was robbed described the terrifying ordeal. 

"The two guys, he stand in front of register," Biletta said. "The gun outside the pocket. He showed me."

A former 7-Eleven clark at another store said a robbery like that would be terrifying. 

"That' the one thing were always trained as for start on, if anyone was to come with a gun, you just give them the money so they can safely go," said Naila Aguinaga.

Others in the community had not heard of the robberies, and suggeted the suspects should try getting jobs. 

"I know they say there's not jobs out here there's jobs out here," said local Eddie McCree. "You just got to want to do them, got to got to get up and what to go to work, got to have a purpose."

If you recognize the men from the surveillance video, deputies warn you not to approach them. The men are considered armed and dangerous. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.



Photo Credit: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

US Navy SEAL Extradited to Virginia for Alleged Child Porn

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The U.S. Navy SEAL assigned to SEAL Team One in Coronado, California has been extradited to Virginia on child pornography charges, confirmed the District Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Gregory Kyle Seerden, 31, of San Diego has been accused of possessing dozens of images of child porn on his phone. He faces several felony counts related to possession of child porn.

Seerden was arrested and taken into custody by the U.S. Marshall's Service, according to the DA's Office. He is en route to Virginia to appear in court.

The date of his next court appearance was not yet decided.

Evidence implicating Seerden was obtained after a woman reported she had been sexually assaulted while intoxicated on Jan. 17. to a gate sentry at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS).

As part of the investigation into the alleged sexual assault, NCIS investigators seized Seerden’s iPhone 7 and had received permission from Seerden's commanding officer to search the phone for text messages, photos, videos, phone logs and contacts.

When an NCIS Digital Forensic Examiner reviewed the contents of the phone in February, he reported seeing “images of prepubescent children that were naked and engaged in sexual acts, specifically oral sex."

On March 20, a judge approved the search of Seerden’s iPhone 7 for evidence related to child pornography.

Officials allege 78 images were found on the phone that include some depicting bondage of children, according to legal documents.

Lemon Grove Teen's Killer Sought: Detectives

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A 16-year-old girl was found dead three years after her family reported her missing and now, San Diego County Sheriff’s homicide detectives say they believe the teenager was killed.

Kimberly Arteaga, 16, of Lemon Grove was reported missing by her family on January 7, 2014 according to deputies.

Arteaga’s body was found January 17, 2017 by a person walking a dog in Otay Valley Regional Park. The park is located in Chula Vista.

An autopsy and DNA samples were used to positively identify the remains as Arteaga, deputies said.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has determined the death to be a homicide.

No details were released on the cause of death.

Detectives told NBC 7 they believe Arteaga died around the time of her disappearance.

Anyone with information about this incident can call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

The Top Trump Controversies of The First 100 Days

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The first 100 days of President Donald Trump's time in office have been marked by near-daily controversies, from surprise allegations to early morning tweet storms, NBC News reports.

They started right out of the gate, as White House press secretary Sean Spicer used his first press briefing to chide the media for "shameful" reporting about the size of the crowd at Trump's inauguration the day before, despite photos showing a much smaller turnout than President Barack Obama got in 2009.

The next day, senior Trump adviser Kellyanne told NBC News' Chuck Todd that Spicer's statement wasn't false, he just gave "alternative facts," a phrase that quickly went viral.

Then there were controversial policies, like the travel ban that federal judges have blocked, the Russia-election investigation — plus Trump's allegation that "Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower" — and more.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Couple Married 69 Years Die 'Hand in Hand': Report

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An Illinois husband and wife, married for 69 years, had a bond so strong they died minutes apart Saturday, hand in hand, at a Skokie hospital, according to their obit.

As both Teresa and Isaac Vatkin, 89 and 91 respectively, lay unresponsive with shallow breath in the hospital Saturday, their family members placed them side by side and hand in hand, the Daily Herald reports. The couple died "peacefully," 40 minutes apart.

"I didn't want them to be scared," their granddaughter Debbie Handler told the newspaper. "I thought maybe if they knew the other was there, it would help."

According to the Herald, the couple met in Argentina, where they were both originally from, and settled in Skokie. They raise three kids in the US — Isaac starting his own kosher meat distribution business and Teresa a homemaker and manicurist.

Isaac learned to use a computer in his 80s and researched Alzheimer’s disease for possible cures when Teresa began to develop the ailment, according to the Herald.

"You didn't want to see them go," their grandson William Vatkin told the newspaper, "but you couldn't ask for anything more."

A joint funeral service was held for the couple Monday in Arlington Heights.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper, File

1 Dog Killed, Second Rescued from Chula Vista House Fire

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One dog died and a second was rescued from a Chula Vista house fire on Festival Court Tuesday.

Chula Vista and San Diego Fire-Rescue crews were called to a two-story home showing flames and smoke on the 3700 block of Festival Court shortly before noon. 

A neighbor called 911 when he saw smoke. No one was in the home at the time.

Firefighters found a dog inside the home. The dog was unharmed and is being taken care of by the neighbor until the homeowners return.

"I told the firefighters there was a dog inside, so they looked for the dog and found the dog and let the dog out. They gave it oxygen and brought him out and all that. He seems to be okay," said neighbor Theresa Acerro.

Neighbor Theresa Acerro said a second dog, found hiding under the bed when the fire was put out, was overcome by smoke inhalation and died. 

The fire was knocked down in ten minutes. 

“There was no other exposure to any neighboring property and the damage was limited to the one story home," Battalion Chief Sean Lowery told NBC 7.

The homeowners will not be able to spend the night at their home, because of the heavy smoke and fire damage.

No one was injured. Officials have not identified a cause.


ArtWalk to Line Little Italy

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San Diego's Little Italy community is always vibrant, but this weekend that energy will be amplified as a two-day, art-centric block party lines the streets.

The 33rd Annual Mission Federal ArtWalk will go down this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., highlighting both visual and performing arts in San Diego.

This year, the event will fill 15 blocks along India Street, from Fir to Beech streets, with more than 300 local, national and international artists showcasing and selling their works. The artworks span every medium -- from paintings and sculptures to glass works, fine jewelry and photography.

The free, family-friendly fest will also feature live music and dance performances across multiple stages: India and Beech streets; India and Cedar streets; India and Date streets; India & Fir streets. Each stage will host several performances throughout the days.

Also on deck at the ArtWalk: street food vendors, interactive activities and a "KidsWalk" area with a wide range of creative projects to keep the little ones busy.

Organizers say the event typically draws 100,000 art enthusiasts of all ages. It is recognized as one of San Diego’s premier arts and cultural events and the largest fine art festival in Southern California.

Due to the large crowd, organizers suggest attendees use public transit like the MTS trolley to get to the ArtWalk. The trolley’s Green Line stops at the County Center/Little Italy stop, which is at the western edge of the event area between Cedar and Beech streets. From there, it’s a short walk east on Beech Street to the block party.

There will also be a free Old Town Trolley shuttle taking passengers to and from the ArtWalk from two parking lots near the event: the Airport’s Economy Lot on Admiral Boland Way, just west of Pacific Highway, or the Aladdin Garage located at Kettner Boulevard and Laurel Street.

A ride-sharing service may also be a good option for getting to the ArtWalk. Lyft is offering new or existing users a 30 percent discount to and from the festival with the code "ARTWALKSD."

If you choose to drive, there’s also a large Ace Parking garage located at the corner of Cedar Street and Kettner Boulevard; remember, parking it limited.

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Photo Credit: Paul Nestor

Cal Trans Honors Employees Killed on the Job

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Cal Trans remembered colleagues who have died on the job in a special ceremony in Old Town on Tuesday. NBC 7's Elena Gomez reports.

1 Killed, 9 Injured in Fiery Crash That Shut Down 5 Freeway

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At least one person was killed and nine others were injured in a fiery multi-vehicle crash that shut down the 5 Freeway for eight hours along Griffith Park Tuesday, firefighters said.

The collision, which involved a big rig and tanker truck near Colorado Street, forced the closure of the southbound lanes, with traffic reduced to two lanes on the northbound side.

Traffic was flowing again on both sides by 7 p.m.

About 11 a.m., one of the big rigs jumped the center divider and caused the crash and fire that followed, CHP officials said. Aerial footaged showed firefighters dousing a big rig trailer destroyed by flames. A tanker truck, van, pickup truck and two other vehicles were also involved in the crash.

"Everybody slammed on the brakes. There was an explosion," said Angel Bariz, a witness.

A triage area was set up just north of the wreck. One of the victims, a 27-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital in critical condition and eight others suffered "lesser" injuries, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. A dog was also found dead at the scene.

All but the driver of the big rig with the box trailer has been accounted for.

By 5 p.m. crews had cleared much of the wreckage, including the big rig with the box trailer that crossed through the center divider. Its driver is believed to be the fatality.

The tanker truck appeared to belong to DDG Transport. Darrel Green, speaking to NBC4 on behalf of the company, said the tanker was hauling milk and its driver called to report being safe.

"He had to use somebody else's phone because he just jumped out of the truck," Green said.

Some 75 firefighters from the LAFD and other nearby agencies responded to the crash.

NBC4's Rosa Ordaz and Patrick Healy contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: KNBC-TV
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Pilot Program Puts More Lifeguards in Beach in Carlsbad

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Carlsbad beachgoers may notice some extra lifeguards patrolling the beaches this summer as part of a new pilot program to put more lifeguards on the beach. 

Right now, one mile of beach from Oak Street to the northern City limit of Carlsbad, is not patrolled by any lifeguards, because the area falls outside the state-patrolled line. 

State lifeguards do help with rescues in the area, but there are no lifeguards permanently stationed in the increasingly popular area. 

Last summer, there were 300 rescues by State lifeguards up and down the Carlsbad coast. 

But even with more lifeguards in this area, Carlsbad Fire Chief Mike Davis said, it is still each beachgoer's responsibility to know their surroundings.

"It truly is our own individual responsibility to know and understand our swimming ability, to take a look at the ocean before we jump in, and know that swimming in the ocean is an inherently dangerous activity," Davis said.

The program, organized by the Carlsbad Fire Department, will run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 

Once the program ends, the Carlsbad Fire Department will report back to the City Council with their recommendations from the program moving forward. 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

FDA Warns of 14 'Fraudulent' Cancer Cure Companies

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The Food and Drug Administration posted warning letters sent to 14 manufacturers, telling them to remove their fraudulent cancer curing products on the internet, NBC News reported. 

The FDA said most of the products are sold websites and social media sites can be harmful and waste money. 

The products that are not tested nor approved by the FDA come in all shapes and sizes, from creams to teas. Some contain ingredients that can be risky or interact dangerously with prescription drugs.



Photo Credit: FDA Photo

Farmer's Market to Open at Liberty Station

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Liberty Station will soon be home to a weekly farmer's market, opening next month. 

The farmer's market will take place every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the space between between Sims Road and Perry Road, and on the grassy area adjacent to Perry Road. It opens on May 4. 

Some of the many certified growers at the weekly market include Smit Farms, JR Organics, Gayton Family Farms, Rivas Farm, Da-Le Ranch, Spring Hill Cheese and more. 

The market will also feature several specialty vendors Baba Foods Hummus, Happy Pantry, Prager Brothers Bakery, Rendezvous French Bakery, and more. 

In addition to tasty foods and fresh produce, local chefs will stop by for different weekly events. 

For more information, follow Liberty Public Farmer's Market on Facebook. 



Photo Credit: Liberty Station

Officers Open Fire at End of Pursuit in Bellflower

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A pursuit that crossed parts of southern Los Angeles County ended when the driver turned around and headed toward officers, who fatally shot the driver in Bellflower.


The driver of the Honda sedan attempted to turn around in the 10200 block of Foster Road, a street that ends at the gated lot of a business. Officers opened fire as the driver turned toward police and six patrol vehicles.


"I heard a bunch of helicopters in the air, so I came out and I looked," said witness Kika Benson. "Then I heard a 'pop, pop, pop, pop - four or five gunshots."


The passenger surrendered to officers, who pulled the driver from the car after it rolled to a stop. The passenger was uninjured, police said.
Police provided first aid and firefighter-paramedics responded to the scene, but the driver died at the scene.


The coroner's office had not released his identity as of 4:55 p.m., pending notification of family.


The pursuit involving the stolen Honda began in the Long Beach area when authorities received a notification from a LoJack vehicle anti-theft system. The driver narrowly missed other vehicles, sped through red lights and swerved through a strip mall parking lot as he headed north into Downey and Paramount. A handgun thrown from the car on a Downey street was recovered, police said.


It was not immediately clear how many officers opened fire.
In a briefing for reporters near the shooting scene, Long Beach police Sgt. Brad Johnson described the circumstances that would lead an officer to open fire.


"When it gets into threat of your own life, someone else's life, or imminent threat," Johnson said. "I don't have details on how many shots were fired, but I can say that multiple officers fired."



Photo Credit: KNBC-TV

Driver Arrested After Stolen Penske Rental Truck Pursuit

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The driver of a stolen Penske rental truck attempted to carjack another truck and hide between the two vehicles before he was arrested at the end of a pursuit in the west San Fernando Valley.

The pursuit began after the report of a stolen truck. The driver also was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon on an officer after backing the truck toward police. 

The truck was on streets in the North Hills area before the driver entered the southbound 405 Freeway, where traffic was moving slowly during the morning commute. The driver pulled to the side of the busy freeway and appeared to wave his arm at officers before backing up toward their patrol cars.

He continued south on the freeway before hitting more traffic and driving over a freeway exit ramp divider and exiting onto streets in the Van Nuys area. An officer deployed a spike strip, which the truck appeared to run over with a right rear tire.

The drive pulled alongside another cargo truck and a tried to get inside the vehicle as officers swarmed toward him. The man crawled between the two trucks, but police restrained him and made the arrest.

It was no immediately clear whether the truck contained cargo.

Refresh this page for updates.



Photo Credit: KNBC-TV

SDUSD Considers Additional Pink Slips

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San Diego Unified School District met Tuesday afternoon to discuss the number of pink slips distributed as the second largest school district in the state of California grapples with a $124 million budget deficit.

On the agenda is issuing nearly 200 additional pink slips that may include support staff such as bus drivers, library technicians and mental health workers.

Joining the meeting were dozens of protesters outside the building for the Board of Education.

In March, more than 1,400 pink slips were delivered to employees but the district said that does not mean this will be the number of people losing their jobs nor the number of positions being eliminated.

District officials said some receiving pink slips may qualify for early retirement. The district is offering early retirement packages to more than 1,500 teachers, who are of retirement age to save jobs.

Teachers union representatives have told NBC 7 there are concerns about how the district plans to make sure children still receive a top-notch education with less resources. They also said the lack of job security is discouraging future educators from pursuing a teaching career.

“Our biggest concern moving forward is how to provide services for the kids,” Gustavo Padilla with the California School Employees Association told NBC 7.

He added that he hopes the union and the district can get together and find a solution that would work for all.

Another union, the Administrators Association of San Diego decided to take a shorter work year and less pay, rather than lose more workers. Principals, vice principals, managers and supervisors will work up to 14 fewer days which amounts to a five percent pay cut. This way, no more of its members will lose their jobs.

“We took the pay reduction knowing it would be a financial impact on the management team," said the union’s Executive Director and CEO Donis Coronel. "But we still have work to be done and we still have kids out there who need to be supported. So that’s the decision of our union.”

The union representing school police, on the other hand, voted during the meeting to lose three more of its members rather than work a shorter work year for less money. That brings the total number of positions lost to 25.

The district said they could get more state money after Governor Jerry Brown's budget plan released in May and lay off notices could be rescinded.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

San Marcos Woman Waits Months For Wells Fargo Refund

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It has been almost five months since Rosa Irene Duenas sold her home in Vista but she said the sale process had lingered long after a new family moved in. 

“As I was reviewing the activity, I noticed there was a transaction made on December 15 for $1,005,” Rosa said. 

The transaction was for hazard insurance on the house Rosa had just sold, a payment Rosa said she didn’t remember making so she called the insurance company. 

“They asked me if it was my home and I said it was my home, the home that I had just sold so obviously it’s not my home anymore,” Rosa said. 

According to Rosa, Wells Fargo, the company that managed her mortgage, charged Rosa to pay the insurance on a home that was no longer hers. 

“They admitted that it was their mistake, that they took money from my impound account to pay for somebody else’s insurance policy,” Rosa said. 

According to Rosa, getting the money back turned out to not be so easy. 

“We’re now two months later and they still have not resolved any issues,” Rosa said. 

Rosa said Wells Fargo originally said it would take two weeks to get her money back. Eight weeks later, Rosa said there was no check, no money, and no returned calls. 

“They will not give me a date, they will not call me back, they will not take my phone calls, I just feel honestly that I’m at a dead-end,” Rosa said. 

Rosa contacted NBC 7 Responds and we contacted Wells Fargo. After weeks of investigating what happened, Wells Fargo was able to get to the root of the problem. 

Rosa told NBC 7 Responds it came down to them charging and refunding the wrong Rosa Duenas. Coincidentally, Rosa said the family she sold her home to had the same last name of Duenas and the new homeowners have a daughter named Rosa. 

Wells Fargo acknowledged the error and sent Rosa Irene Duenas a check for $1,005. 

In a statement to NBC 7 Responds, Wells Fargo spokesperson Alfredo Padilla said, “We have reached out to Ms. Duenas to discuss the situation and are in the process of issuing her a check for $1,005. Regrettably, the premium on the new homeowners’ policy was incorrectly charged to Ms. Duenas. We are correcting that error now.”

Man Charged for Human Smuggling in Crash on State Route 125

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The driver of an SUV involved in a pursuit with Border Patrol agents over the weekend is being accused of attempting to smuggle immigrants illegals across the border.

A complaint was filed against Miguel Angel Tejada on Tuesday alleging that he violated the immigration laws in the U.S. and knew that certain people he was transporting in the vehicle were in the country illegally.

Six other people, including a juvenile was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. 

The incident began around 11:40 p.m. Sunday when a Border Patrol agent was alerted to a Ford Expedition through a seismic intrusion device near Otay Mesa. He tried to stop a Ford Expedition on Otay Mesa Road.

The driver, who refused to pull over for the BP agent, continued onto SR-125 and leading to a pursuit.

During the pursuit, the vehicle slammed into a guardrail and went over an embankment.

Tejada and six people inside the SUV were injured and taken to nearby hospitals, according to a Border Patrol agent. 

According to the complaint, Hector Cruz, Martel Juarez, Cesar Meraz, Avelino Portillo, all Mexican citizens, were released from the hospital and taken into custody at the Chula Vista Processing Center.

They all stated they were illegally present in the U.S. and did not have any immigration documents. They admitted they were going to pay between $1,000 to $5,000 to be smuggled into the U.S.

Meraz and Portillo identified Tejada as the driver of the vehicle.

According to the complaint, "Meraz stated when Tejada saw the lights and heard the siren behind them, Tejada deliberately sped up and purposely jerked the wheel of the vehicle to cause it to roll over."

The juvenile and another person are still in the hospital.

You can read the full complaint here.

SANDAG’s Measure A Projections Prompt Calls for Transparency

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The embattled San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has just received a sharp critique, as legislation to overhaul its operations keeps moving in Sacramento.

A leading taxpayer advocacy group gave SANDAG six recommendations aimed at enabling the agency’s directors to present “clear and digestible information” that would improve “the quality and efficacy of future debate on public issues”.

The back story here is SANDAG’s Measure A on last November's countywide ballot, which got majority approval but not the two-thirds required for passage.

While staffers learned key numbers given to voters and SANDAG directors could be wrong, they didn't tell them.

As a result the agency, whose board members are elected officials from the county and its 18 cities, has hired an outside law firm to investigate how that came about.

Measure A was a half-cent sales tax hike to bankroll transportation, infrastructure and environmental projects.

SANDAG had forecast revenues of $18 billion over 40 years.

Reporting by NBC 7 media partner Voice of San Diego and internal checks revealed what staffers called a "human error" in data input.

After the election, the projection was corrected to $14 billion.

Questions arose about whether Measure A was intentionally oversold, but so far, no evidence has materialized.

On Tuesday, the San Diego County Taxpayers Assn. (SDCTA) issued a report recommending "increased communications, so if errors do surface they would be recognized earlier in the process and corrected, preventing them from becoming larger issues down the road".

Said SDCTA’s president, Haney Hong, in a news release: “It’s disappointing that some of our elected leaders do not engage in the back-and-forth dialogue between the constituencies they represent and SANDAG’s board.”

Meantime, a bill to revise SANDAG's governing structure has just passed the Assembly's Transportation Committee.

SANDAG directors voted to oppose AB 805 unless it's amended, some saying it's unfair to the agency's smaller cities.

In response to the Taxpayers Association report, SANDAG issued a statement saying it will review the group's recommendations, and ".. is committed to transparency, accountability, and good governance.”

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