Sheriff: Driver tried to run over agents, officer

HIDALGO - A violent confrontation Wednesday on the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge had Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Treviño emphasizing the need for increased inspection of southbound traffic.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents tried to stop the Tahoe about 4 a.m., thinking it might be connected to Tuesday's abduction of a Rio Grande City woman in McAllen, Treviño said.

The driver of the Tahoe - which was carrying at least two men - refused to stop and tried to run over the federal agents and an Hidalgo police officer, Treviño said. The agents and the officer opened fire on the Tahoe, which made a couple of quick turns and rammed the back of a vehicle paying a toll to get across the bridge.

The Tahoe then went around the vehicle, then the occupants abandoned the Tahoe on the U.S. side of the bridge.

Two or three men, including at least one of whom deputies believe was shot while inside the Tahoe, escaped into Mexico.

Hidalgo County sheriff's deputies - investigating the case at the request of the Hidalgo Police Department because there was an officer involved shooting - worked with Mexican authorities to identify the men.