A late-night police chase in Harris County ended tragically Saturday when a suspect pursuing deputies crashed his vehicle and was fatally struck by a patrol unit, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 9:54 p.m., a Harris County Constable Precinct 7 officer attempted to stop a white 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan for driving without headlights and going roughly 90 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone in southwest Houston.
The driver refused to stop, reaching speeds of around 120 mph as he exited Beltway 8 near Garrett Road and onto the northbound service road.
Deputies stated the subject ran several red lights while fleeing. A Precinct 3 deputy later noticed the Volkswagen driving at high speeds without headlights. Despite the activation of emergency lights and sirens, the deputy reported that the suspect refused to stop again.
The suspect got off Beltway 8 at the West Lake Houston Parkway exit ramp, blew another red light, and lost control after hitting a curb. Deputies reported the vehicle crashed into an open area near East Sam Houston Parkway North.
Authorities stated the man suspect, the vehicle’s lone occupant, ran on foot toward a wooden fence that blocked his way. As he attempted to flee around a marked patrol car, he lost his footing near a dirt berm.
A deputy constable followed the suspect in his vehicle. According to deputies, the officer slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting the subject, but the patrol car slipped into the mud and struck him. The suspect became trapped under the truck and was dragged about 10 feet before being freed.
Deputies provided first assistance until EMS came and took the man to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division is conducting an investigation. Authorities stated that the published information is preliminary and does not reflect the investigation’s final findings.
The suspect’s identify and the cause for the original evasion are still under investigation.
