Police Chase Ends With Explosive Crash

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MESQUITE (CBSDFW.COM) - A short police chase on Tuesday night ended with a violent crash and an incredible explosion. It happened shortly before 7:30 p.m. and left one person dead, but the investigation is just beginning.

Police in Mesquite received a 911 call about a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was weaving in and out of traffic. The driver of that vehicle may have been intoxicated, authorities added. An officer saw the car run a red light near the intersection of Interstate-635 and Ferguson Road.

Sgt. Joe Smith of the Mesquite Police Department said, "At that time, the officer turned on his lights and siren and then a chase ensued. He flew through this intersection where he struck approximately six cars." That crash was less than two miles away from where the chase started, at the intersection of Ferguson Road and Maylee Road.

The crash, involving seven vehicles, left debris scattered all over the roadway. Traffic was shut down while the streets were cleaned up and crash was investigated. The area has been opened back up to traffic once again.

Security camera footage from a nearby merchant shows exactly what happened. The violent wreck resulted in a fireball shooting into the nighttime sky as numerous cars were struck. The suspect's vehicle flipped.

"I was just shaking. I couldn't even fathom what to do," recalled victim Cori White on Tuesday. "I was trying to get out of the other side, but the doors were pinned, so I was screaming to try to get out, and my husband ran around the other side of the car and he actually opened the back window and pulled me out of the back side, because we were scared the car was going to blow up."

The driver of the car being chased -- identified as 27-year-old Jarron Williams -- was actually ejected during the crash. He and his passenger were both take to a local hospital. Williams is now in critical condition and charged with murder. Police are still investigating this incident. Officials also confirmed that the Jeep had been reported as stolen.

Meanwhile, family members have identified the deceased individual as 58-year-old Stephen Fox, a regular member of Meadowview Church of Christ in Mesquite. He lived with his mother for medical reasons, the family said, and was a long time employee at a Garland trucking company, which released the following statement:

"We are mourning the tragic death of our colleague Steve Fox from this terrible accident.  A 14-year employee with Con-way Freight in Garland, he was a true professional and a well-respected member of our team.  He will be missed by his many friends at Con-way and in the community. We share our thoughts and prayers with his family in this difficult time."

Born in Chicago, the family said that friends called Fox by the nickname 'Yankee.' He was not married and had no kids, but was very outgoing. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and remote control airplanes. He is survived by his mom, two sisters and one brother.

Fox's family added that they are very sad to have had this incident happen so close to the Thanksgiving holiday.

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