Police Chase in Southwest Louisiana in Connection with a Missing or Endangered Person in the Austin Area

July 8, 2019, 1:00 p.m. – Updated July 8, 2019, 9:00 p.m.

Preliminary information indicated that authorities from both Texas and Louisiana were in pursuit of a dark red or maroon car believed to be a Honda in connection with a missing or endangered person in the Austin area.

It was later found that at approximately 11:40 a.m, Monday, July 8, 2019, Jefferson County deputies attempted to stop a 2008 maroon Honda Accord on I-10 East near Beaumont for a traffic violation. After deputies ran the vehicle information, it was found that the vehicle was connected to a missing or endangered person case in the Autin, Texas area.

A vehicle chase ensued and continued on I-10 East through Southeast Texas and into Southwest Louisiana. The chase exited I-10 East near Vinton, Louisiana then turned around and headed back west toward Texas on I-10. The suspect then exited into the Texas Welcome Center briefly, then turned back around to head East on I-10 toward Louisiana again. Reports indicate that a two-vehicle accident near the Texas/Louisiana State Line was caused by the erratic driving of the suspect.

As the chase continued into Louisiana, the suspect traveled on I-10 East through Sulphur later exiting on to Highway 378 in Westlake, Louisiana, then heading north. The chase finally ended at approximately 12:50 p.m. when the suspect crashed on Myrtle Springs Road in Westlake. The suspect was apprehended shortly afterward.

A total of 12 departments from Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana were involved in the chase. The departments include:

Beaumont Police Department

Calcasieu Sheriff’s Office

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Louisiana constables

Louisiana State Police

Orange County Sheriff’s Office

Orange Police Department

Sulphur Police Department

Texas Department of Public Safety

Vidor Police Department

Vinton Police Department

Westlake Police Department

The name of the suspect was not immediately released, and Jefferson County authorities indicated after the suspect has been arraigned.