Charges ahead for Cotullans in police pursuit

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Ayden Hernandez

Two Cotulla men are facing felony evasion charges after leading Frio County deputies on an 18-mile high-speed chase last week.
A report on the case indicates the pursuit began shortly before 11 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, when a Dilley police officer contacted emergency dispatchers to report that the driver of a northbound white sedan had failed to yield to the officer’s directive to stop in downtown Dilley.
Within moments, the deputy spotted the 2018 Toyota Camry traveling at a high rate of speed on Business Loop 35. The driver, later identified as 19-year-old Ayden Hernandez, continued to travel at speeds topping 120 miles per hour.
Hernandez continued his attempt to evade deputies, prompting law enforcement officers to deploy a tire-deflation device near Spur 581 just north of FM 1582 in Pearsall.
According to the report, Hernandez stopped the sedan and he and his two passengers fled on foot.
Deputies were able to catch Hernandez after he crossed the railroad tracks. The suspect was taken to the Frio County Jail without further incident and charged with a third-degree felony for evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle.
Four hours later, US Border Patrol agents found a passenger who had fled on foot and identified the man as 20-year-old Luis Benavidez. The report indicates Benavidez was not arrested, but a warrant will be filed against him for evading arrest.