Police Chase in Southwest Louisiana in Connection with a Missing or Endangered Person in the Austin Area
Police Chase in Southwest Louisiana in Connection with a Missing or Endangered Person in the Austin Area
July 8, 2019, 1:00 p.m. – Updated July 8, 2019, 9:00 p.m.
Preliminary information indicated that authorities from both Texas and Louisiana were in pursuit of a dark red or maroon car believed to be a Honda in connection with a missing or endangered person in the Austin area.
It was later found that at approximately 11:40 a.m, Monday, July 8, 2019, Jefferson County deputies attempted to stop a 2008 maroon Honda Accord on I-10 East near Beaumont for a traffic violation. After deputies ran the vehicle information, it was found that the vehicle was connected to a missing or endangered person case in the Autin, Texas area.
A vehicle chase ensued and continued on I-10 East through Southeast Texas and into Southwest Louisiana. The chase exited I-10 East near Vinton, Louisiana then turned around and headed back west toward Texas on I-10. The suspect then exited into the Texas Welcome Center briefly, then turned back around to head East on I-10 toward Louisiana again. Reports indicate that a two-vehicle accident near the Texas/Louisiana State Line was caused by the erratic driving of the suspect.
As the chase continued into Louisiana, the suspect traveled on I-10 East through Sulphur later exiting on to Highway 378 in Westlake, Louisiana, then heading north. The chase finally ended at approximately 12:50 p.m. when the suspect crashed on Myrtle Springs Road in Westlake. The suspect was apprehended shortly afterward.
A total of 12 departments from Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana were involved in the chase. The departments include:
- Beaumont Police Department
- Calcasieu Sheriff’s Office
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
- Louisiana constables
- Louisiana State Police
- Orange County Sheriff’s Office
- Orange Police Department
- Sulphur Police Department
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Vidor Police Department
- Vinton Police Department
- Westlake Police Department
The name of the suspect was not immediately released, and Jefferson County authorities indicated after the suspect has been arraigned.
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