A wanted motorcyclist who refused to pull over in Montgomery County took deputies on a multi-jurisdiction chase that ended at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Saturday, when he crashed into the outside of the international terminal, according to authorities. The rider was arrested at the scene and booked into the Montgomery County Jail, and initial reports indicated the impact only damaged equipment outside the building.
Chase Kicks Off Near FM 1485 and FM 2090
Deputies say the pursuit started near FM 1485 and FM 2090 after they tried to make a traffic stop and the rider sped off on a motorcycle. Officials identified him as 46-year-old Michael Vandeberghe, who was wanted on two felony warrants, including theft and alleged child neglect, as reported by KHOU. Deputies say the chase crossed into Houston before wrapping up at the airport.
Low-Speed Hit at IAH's International Terminal
The motorcycle ultimately collided with the exterior of the international terminal at George Bush Intercontinental. In a post on X, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened at a relatively low speed and that the damage was limited to an exterior A/C unit. Deputies took Vandeberghe into custody immediately and later booked him into the Montgomery County Jail, according to the post.
New Charges, Ongoing Investigation
On top of the existing felony warrants, Vandeberghe now faces charges of evading arrest and possession of a controlled substance, according to KHOU. The sheriff's office also publicly thanked the Houston Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety for backing them up during the incident, the outlet reported.
Airport officials did not report any immediate impact to flights, the sheriff's office said in a separate post on X. Investigators say the case remains open as deputies continue to piece together the full sequence of events.
