Pet kangaroo hopping down Texas highway causes police chase

Cindy White had to double check that she was still in the Lone Star State when she almost hit a kangaroo in East Texas on Sunday.

"It was just a crazy day. Thank goodness I got pictures, because no one would believe me," White told the Chronicle. "I was driving my son's truck and had to call him and tell him that I almost hit a kangaroo. He said that would have been hard to explain to the insurance company."

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According to news station KBMT-TV, Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said they received several calls on Sunday about a kangaroo hopping down Highway 69. Deputies with the Hardin County Sheriff's Office and Lumberton police chased the kangaroo for more than an hour before the owner tranquilized the kangaroo, reports KNMT-TV.

The animal is a pet and was able to escape from where its fenced-in habitat.

A pet kangaroo escaped in Lumberton, Texas in January 2018 and had to be rounded up by police. A pet kangaroo escaped in Lumberton, Texas in January 2018 and had to be rounded up by police. Photo: Cindy Kaut White Photo: Cindy Kaut White Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Pet kangaroo hopping down Texas highway causes police chase 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

For White, it was an experience she isn't sure she'll ever have again.

"I'm from Missouri where you have deer run in front of you all the time," White said. "Never in a million years would I have dreamt (of hitting) a kangaroo."

Watch the video above to see the escaped kangaroo in Texas.

Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com. Read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter.