Packed van hits oncoming vehicle in illegal border crossing

SAN DIEGO Immigration officials say it may be just the latest in a series of risky human smuggling attempts on the California border.
Officials say a van loaded with 55 people and equipped with modified tires drove the wrong-way on a freeway crossing the border and struck an oncoming vehicle.

There are no reports of injuries. The Border Patrol says the van rolled over a spike strip on its way from Tijuana, Mexico to San Diego, but its tires were filled with silicone and didn't shred right away.

The van eventually stopped and agents say 54 passengers were taken into custody. The driver ran, but later was found hiding in a trash bin.

Authorities say everyone in the van, including the driver, seemed to be entering the U-S illegally.