Man with Machete Detained After Crash on I-8, Transported for Mental Health Evaluation

Ocotillo, Calif. (June 8, 2025) — A 43-year-old man was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after reportedly crashing his vehicle and approaching officers with a machete on Interstate 8.

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers responded to the incident at approximately 2:00 p.m. The man exited his crashed vehicle and allegedly confronted officers with a machete, stating he wanted them to kill him.

In a video circulating online, the man is seen holding a machete while surrounded by approximately 30 officers from the California Highway Patrol and U.S. Border Patrol. Officers can be heard attempting to communicate with the man, urging him to put the weapon down.

Lieutenant Zendejas of the El Centro CHP confirmed the man has mental health issues and is currently receiving assistance from Imperial County Behavioral Health.

“The male subject has mental health issues. He is seeking treatment for them through the Imperial County mental health,” said Lt. Zendejas.

Following the incident, the man was transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center to be medically cleared for injuries sustained during the crash. He was then transferred to Imperial County Behavioral Health Services.

“He is right now in transition between the hospital, which is El Centro Regional, and Imperial County Mental Health,” Lt. Zendejas said.

CHP officials emphasized that the man was not injured by officers and that no force was used during the encounter.

“We didn’t cause any injuries to him. The injuries he sustained were from the crash. There was no use of force on behalf of any of the California Highway Patrol or any of the agencies that were there,” Lt. Zendejas stated.

“We used de-escalation techniques to get him to comply and cooperate with enforcement,” he added.

At this time, CHP says there is no indication the man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“We don’t have any evidence of that at this moment,” Lt. Zendejas said.

The investigation remains ongoing.