Last night turned tense on a busy Dallas freeway after a suspect being transported to jail allegedly lunged for the wheel of a squad car, then bailed out onto the R.L. Thornton Freeway near Beckley Avenue. The officer driving was still inside the patrol vehicle during the struggle, and both the officer and the suspect later ended up in a local hospital.
Dallas police said the confrontation unfolded while officers were taking the suspect to the Dallas County jail. During the ride, the suspect managed to move toward the controls of the patrol car and briefly gained control, according to the department. The officer was able to fight back, regain control of the vehicle, and bring it to a stop before anyone else on the road was pulled into the chaos.
Officers were called around 6:10 p.m. to the eastbound lanes of R.L. Thornton near Beckley Avenue, according to WFAA. Dallas Fire-Rescue responded and took both the officer and the suspect to a hospital for treatment. Officials have not released details on the extent of their injuries.
Freeway slows as officers lock down scene
Traffic on the R.L. Thornton Freeway slowed to a crawl as officers shut down lanes, secured the scene, and made room for paramedics to work. Drivers inching past saw a heavy police and emergency presence, but investigators later said they do not believe the suspect was hit by another vehicle during the incident.
Police have not publicly identified the officer or the suspect, and no specific medical conditions have been released. Investigators remained on scene to document the area, talk with witnesses, and piece together the chain of events that started inside the squad car and ended on the freeway pavement.
Suspect later taken into custody off the freeway
The suspect was taken into custody a short time later in the 2300 block of South Marsalis Avenue, as reported by WFAA. Authorities have not yet said what charges the suspect could face in connection with the struggle in the patrol car or the jump onto the freeway.
Detectives plan to review body-worn camera and dashcam video as part of the standard investigation process. That footage is expected to play a key role in confirming the timeline of the struggle, how the vehicle was brought under control, and what happened immediately before the suspect ended up on the roadway.
What comes next
The Dallas Police Department's investigative units will determine whether additional criminal charges or internal administrative actions are warranted once they have finished reviewing evidence and officer statements. Further public updates typically follow after investigators, doctors, and department officials complete their initial reviews.
This story will be updated as more details, including identities and conditions, are released by authorities.
