A San Diego woman killed by a Border Patrol agent in September had methamphetamine in her system, according to a new report from the county Medical Examiner.
The 20-page report reveals that Valeria Tachiquin-Alvarado had a methamphetamine level of .10 in blood.
No evidence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs was found.
The autopsy report also confirms earlier information about the shooting and gives new details about how Alvarado died.
According to the report, Alvarado hit an unnamed border patrol agent with her car and then tried to drive away with him clinging to the hood after she allegedly disobeyed a police order and tried to flee from an enforcement operation on Moss Street, in Chula Vista.
The Medical Examiner’s report says the agent held onto the the car, drew his Smith and Wesson pistol, and fired the 10 shots into the vehicle.
According to the report, Alvarado was hit in the right hand, arm, abdomen and chest, and died from bullet wounds to her heart, aorta, lungs and other vital organs.
Attorney Eugene Iredale, who represents the Alvarado family, said although the methamphetamine found in Tachiquin-Alvarado’s system was a significant amount, it may have been the result of diet medications or supplements. Iredale also acknowledged that Alvarado did have a “substance-abuse problem,” which could account for the drug finding.
But Iredale says the new information about the ten bullets, which caused 14 separate wounds, is more important.
He says details about the angle of travel of those bullets reveals that the agent shot Alvarado while standing in front of her car, not while he was being carried along on the hood of the vehicle.
Authorities with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol did not respond to requests for comment.
