Juan Muñoz dies in Brownsville crash after fleeing Border Patrol

Border Patrol pursuit of BMW

Border Patrol agents attempted to stop a red BMW 328i as it traveled west on Highway 4 near Southmost Road. The driver, Muñoz, fled from the agents during the attempted traffic stop.

Migrants transported in the vehicle

Muñoz was transporting five migrants in the BMW.

Sequence of the multi-vehicle crash

Muñoz ran a red light and struck a green Hyundai Santa Fe occupied by a woman and a small boy, causing the SUV to roll several times. The BMW then spun into oncoming traffic and collided with a silver GMC Sierra.

Procedures for requesting fatal accident reports

The California Highway Patrol, city police departments, and the Sheriff's office maintain individual rules for requesting collision reports. The California Highway Patrol provides a specific request form for family members.

The Los Angeles Police Department releases fatal accident reports only by mail for a $19 fee, with a processing time of at least 45 days.

Obtaining death certificates and medical records

Authorized individuals, including parents, legal guardians, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses, domestic partners, attorneys, court-appointed representatives, and funeral directors, can request death certificates in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties for $26 per copy.

Online requests incur a $26 fee per copy plus an additional $10.50 processing fee. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk maintains records for deaths occurring before last year.

The office processes and mails these requests within 20 working days. Deaths in Pasadena and Long Beach fall under the jurisdiction of each city’s own health department instead of the county’s Public Health office.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, which operated as the Medical Examiner-Coroner until 2023, maintains autopsy and investigation reports. These reports cost $32, and toxicology results usually require two to four months. Medical Examiner reports or Proof of Death Letters can be purchased online via the case search page or by calling Public Services at (323) 343-0695.

The Medical Examiner releases photographs to the legal next of kin only upon receipt of a court order.

The California Victim Compensation Board provides up to $12,818 for funeral and burial costs for deaths caused by hit-and-run, drunk or drugged driving, or certain vehicular manslaughter.