A high-speed chase that started in Atascosa County on Friday ended across the line in Frio County after deputies say the driver of a heavy-duty dually truck repeatedly and deliberately rammed several law-enforcement vehicles. Deputies and Pearsall police steered the pursuit into a more rural area, laid down tire-deflation devices and used a tactical box-in, and a Frio County deputy ultimately fired at the truck’s remaining rear tires to force it to a stop. The driver was taken into custody, authorities said, and while several patrol units were left banged up, no physical injuries were reported.
According to News 4 San Antonio, deputies zeroed in on the truck after being alerted that the pursuit was entering Frio County, and Pearsall officers helped guide the fleeing vehicle away from city limits. Deputies said a tire-deflation device initially flattened several of the truck’s tires, but the driver kept going and continued to slam into pursuing units until officers pulled off a coordinated box-in. A Frio County deputy then discharged a firearm, striking and deflating the remaining rear tires and finally immobilizing the truck. The sheriff’s office said a single male driver was taken into custody and faces multiple felony counts, but his identity and the specific charges have not yet been released.
How deputies brought the chase to a stop
Law-enforcement agencies often rely on spike strips or “Stop Sticks,” along with coordinated vehicle tactics, to slow suspects and end pursuits while trying to limit the risk to bystanders. The StopStick NightHawk manual explains how launch-and-retract systems let officers quickly deploy and recover tire-deflation strips during a chase. A Congressional research briefing notes that these counter-materiel tools are generally treated as less-than-lethal options, though they still carry real dangers for officers and the public when used at speed. Portland Police Bureau pursuit policies, similar to many around the country, require specific training and supervisor approval before officers attempt box-ins or PIT-style maneuvers.
Possible charges and legal backdrop
Because deputies say the truck was intentionally driven into patrol vehicles, the driver could be looking at serious felony charges under Texas law, including enhanced evading counts and assault-related offenses when a vehicle is used against officers. Texas’s Penal Code details how evading arrest or detention in a vehicle, as well as assaults on public servants, can be charged at felony levels depending on factors such as injuries, prior convictions and whether a vehicle was effectively used as a weapon. The Frio County Sheriff’s Office has said it will release the suspect’s name and the exact list of charges once that information is ready, and the case remains an active investigation.
What’s next
Investigators in Frio County are continuing to review the incident and compile reports for the district attorney while deputies complete after-action paperwork. Agencies from multiple counties worked together during the chase, and supervisors typically go back over pursuits like this to scrutinize tactics, communication and training. Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Frio County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation moves forward.
