Vehicle theft suspect pursuit ends in Dilley crash
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A high-speed pursuit involving a suspect with a stolen car ended in a crash in the middle of Dilley after a officers from several law enforcement agencies had tried to stop the driver.
According to a report on the case, Frio County deputies assisted Dilley police and US Border Patrol agents on Thursday, December 28, at 8:23 p.m. after agents noticed suspicious behavior from the driver traveling in the southbound lanes of IH-35.
Frio County deputies confirmed through emergency dispatch that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Bexar County.
The driver of the pickup truck, later identified as 21-year-old Vicente Martinez, failed to comply with the deputy’s directive to stop near Milemarker 90.
Martinez continued to travel south, reaching speeds of over 115 mph as he drove across the grassy median to the access road, officers reported.
The Frio County Sheriff’s Office has reported that deputies and Dilley police ceased pursuit after Martinez turned east onto FM 117 and crossed into Dilley city limits. Martinez continued traveling at a high rate of speed, however, before crashing into a pole in front of a retail store.
Martinez continued trying to evade capture by fleeing from the vehicle on foot. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to Frio Regional Hospital for medical treatment.
Deputies say they believe Martinez stole the pickup truck in San Antonio and was on his way to Mexico.
It was after receiving medical clearance from hospital staff that Martinez was transported without further incident to the Frio County Jail. The suspect faces two felony charges for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle.
