A truck driver is facing felony charges after allegedly leading Texas police on a high speed pursuit with small children in his truck while he was under the influence of alcohol.
The pursuit began around 11 p.m. on Monday, October 29, in Harris County, Texas, according to ABC 13.
An off-duty police officer was driving on Queenston Boulevard when he noticed a semi truck erratically swerving in and out of its lane. When more officers arrived on scene, the truck driver refused to pull over and instead led police through residential neighborhoods, onto Highway 6, and then entered U.S. 290.
Officers pursued the truck for an hour through three different counties over 37 miles as it drove over curbs and through yards. The truck also swerved towards police and tried to strike the officers during the pursuit.
“The driver at times attempted to run over deputies,” reported Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
When police attempted to stop the truck with spike strips, the truck driver drove over them and continued for as long as he could on the rims. The truck driver then pulled over and surrendered without further incident.
No serious injuries were reported.
When police looked inside the truck, they found 37 year old truck driver Juan Manuel Rodriguez-Jimenez in the cab, along with his 32 year old wife and two children, aged eight and one.
Rodriguez-Jimenez failed a field sobriety test and was later arrested. Police found a cold open container of alcohol in his truck along with a 32 ounce can of Corona beer in his mini fridge.
Rodriguez-Jimenez has been charged with Evading, Felony DWI with a Child Passenger, and Aggravated Assault with a Motor Vehicle. He is being held without bail at the Harris County Jail.