Border marker, via Border Patrol.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

A Border Patrol agent crashed his all-terrain vehicle after he was struck in the chest by a grapefruit-size rock about 20 miles southwest Otay Mesa, Calif.

The agent, who has not yet been identified, was traveling about 20 mph when he was assaulted, the Los Angeles Times reports. 

When the agent called for help, his colleagues arrived and spotted hat they believed was a group of people trying to enter the country illegally. The agents dispersed the group with tear gas and notified Mexican authorities, who assisted.

The injured agent, who is now on administrative leave, was released from the hospital Sunday with severe bruises to his chest.

“This is an all-too-common occurrence.” Chief Patrol Agent Rodney Scott said in a statement. “The safety and well-being of our agents remains our top priority, and we will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to bring the assailant to justice.”