Two Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were hurt Friday evening after a traffic stop on San Antonio’s Southeast Side spun into a chaotic two-car chase and left both officers dragged by a fleeing vehicle.
Troopers first tried to pull over a white Chevrolet Malibu near Weizmann Street at about 6:35 p.m. when the driver refused to stop, sparking a pursuit, according to KSAT. The chase ended with the suspect ditching the Malibu, getting away on foot, then slipping into a second vehicle and taking off again.
Investigators say troopers deployed a Grappler device in an effort to bring the chase under control, but the tethered system did not stop the driver from escaping, KSAT reports. DPS said both troopers were injured after being dragged by the fleeing vehicle. Both drivers are still on the run, and the Texas Rangers have taken over the case.
What Is the Grappler Device?
The Grappler Police Bumper is a front-mounted system that fires out a heavy-duty nylon net designed to snag a fleeing car’s rear wheel and force a controlled stop. As reported by Denver7, law enforcement agencies around the country have adopted the tool as an alternative to PIT maneuvers and spike strips, while stressing that officers must be trained before using it.
Supporters say the Grappler can shorten pursuits and cut down on risk to the public and officers. Its effectiveness, though, depends heavily on how fast the suspect is driving and how precisely the net is placed on the target vehicle.
Investigation Underway
DPS has not yet released specifics about the troopers’ injuries or any information about the people they are looking for, according to KSAT. The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation, and detectives are reviewing evidence from the scene as they work to identify and track down both drivers.
Why This Matters for Drivers and Officers
National reporting on Grappler use underscores a familiar theme in modern policing tools, where departments are quick to note that training and discretion are just as important as the hardware. Coverage from CBS Detroit highlights both clean, textbook stops and warnings from experts that if the device is used incorrectly it can damage vehicles or trigger unpredictable outcomes.
Those same concerns are likely to factor into how investigators dissect what went wrong on San Antonio’s Southeast Side and how a tool designed to make pursuits safer ended with two troopers injured and two suspects still at large.
