SAN DIEGO, Texas — An American man at the center of a wild chase that left a trail of destruction on the Mexican side of San Ysidro Port of Entry remains in Mexican police custody.
The man and his girlfriend, who are from Utah, are accused of slamming their vehicle into several other vehicles and street vendor trucks as they fled from Mexican authorities on Monday.
From her Utah home via Facebook, Summer Barber said she is recovering from injuries she suffered after the chaotic incident in Tijuana.
“It is, I would say, a nightmare. I am still waiting for any word on Frankie. I feel terrible. I have been traumatized from the whole thing,” she said.
Cellphone video captured the moment when, according to Mexican authorities, Barber’s boyfriend – 29-year-old Frank Stricker – hit more than 17 vehicles and a dozen street vendor trucks with his pickup. At least three people were injured.
According to Barber, it all started after they got lost trying to maneuver their way around the streets and allowed a man to get inside their truck to show them the right way to go. Barber said an argument erupted and the man got out of the truck, but she claims they feared they were being set up by police.
“The cop comes out and says get out of the car. We hear gunshots [and] Frankie takes off. It all happened so fast, but he said if we stop we are dead,” she said.
A crowd surrounded his truck and beat the couple. Barber ended up in the hospital. She was released after a couple of days, but Frankie remains in custody in Mexico.
According to Utah court records, he has had 14 separate felony cases against him since 2008. Some of the felonies are drug related. Utah authorities said he was not even supposed to be driving at all. One week ago, he was issued a citation for driving on a suspended license.
Mexican authorities held a news conference Thursday and said Stricker will remain in custody for now. The case remains under investigation.
Barber continued to defend her boyfriend.
“The past is the past. He is a changed man. He is a good guy. He put his own life at risk to save mine,” she said.
Mexican authorities were looking at charging Frank with attempted murder, but as of Thursday, the charges he could face have not been determined.
Frank will have to pay for the damage he caused. His next court date is scheduled for Monday, May 20.