A high-speed truck chase that started in New Braunfels and ripped up I-35 into Austin on Wednesday morning left four people hurt and one driver in handcuffs, according to authorities.
How The Pursuit Unfolded
The Comal County Sheriff's Office says it all began near the 17000 block of FM 306 after a caller reported a reckless, possibly intoxicated driver who had hit a trash truck. Deputies found the pickup, but when they tried to stop it, the driver allegedly refused to pull over.
Officers deployed tire-deflation devices that reportedly punctured two tires on the truck’s left side. That did not end it. Authorities say the pickup ran a red light, struck a vehicle, then hit another car, jumped a curb and merged onto I-35 northbound toward Austin.
According to investigators, the driver briefly tried to exit in San Marcos, where a third tire went flat, but still rejoined I-35. At one point, officials say the truck tried to push a Department of Public Safety trooper off the road.
The chase finally ended in Austin when the pickup hit a wall and deputies arrested the driver, identified as Devonte Dunn. Four people were injured, and Dunn faces multiple counts, including evading arrest with a vehicle, four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of collision involving injury, driving while intoxicated and driving while license invalid, as reported by News 4 San Antonio.
Charges And Legal Stakes
Under Texas law, evading arrest in a vehicle can be charged as a felony, with penalties that increase if anyone is injured or if the driver has prior evading convictions, according to Texas Penal Code §38.04. Aggravated assault is generally a second-degree felony, but the punishment can be enhanced when serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon is involved, per Texas Penal Code §22.02.
If prosecutors move forward on multiple counts tied to the same pursuit, any convictions could potentially lead to consecutive sentences, depending on how charges are filed and what the court ultimately decides.
What Investigators Say Next
Officials have not released information about the conditions of the four injured people. Investigations by Comal County authorities and Austin police are still ongoing, and law enforcement says more details will be shared as they become available.
