A police officer investigates the scene of a car crash following a high-speed chase through Old Town Kyle early Sunday. Photo by Lincoln Ramirez.
By SEAN KIMMONS
An SUV went on a quick police chase through Kyle after it almost hit a police officer directing traffic on a freeway access road early Sunday, police say.
The 2001 Chevy Tahoe was ordered to stop by an officer while traffic was being diverted onto the access road following a hit-and-run incident on Interstate 35 at mile marker 215, causing the southbound lanes to close, Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett says.
The officer attempted to halt traffic to let pedestrians safely cross the roadway after their vehicle broke down nearby. The SUV disregarded the order and gunned it, narrowly missing the officer and pedestrians, Barnett says.
Another patrol car began to pursue the SUV, which turned onto Center Street speeding through old town Kyle. The SUV lost control and rolled over onto its roof, and two men fled into a wooded area near Old Stagecoach Road.
Both men could not be apprehended on scene where police found several beer bottles and a loaded handgun in the SUV. Police are still tracking down the owner of the SUV.
Barnett assumes that the driver fled because he thought police were conducting a sobriety checkpoint.
In the hit and run incident, a 23-year-old man was struck by an unknown vehicle as he walked along the shoulder of the interstate around 3 a.m.
Police say that the man suffered several broken bones and was transported to an Austin-area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Anyone with information on the two separate incidents are encouraged to contact the Kyle Police Department at 268-0859.
