Suspected Drunk Driver 'Intentionally' Rams Truck Into Officer's Car
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ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - A suspected drunk driver was arrested Sunday after, according to Arlington Police, he intentionally rammed his pickup truck into an officer's patrol car.
The officer was taken to the hospital but did not suffer major injuries.
Josue Pablo Mendez was arrested on felony charges of aggravated assault on a public servant and evading arrest.
According to police, the officer tried to pull Mendez over at a gas station off of Park Row and Highway 360 shortly before 5:00 a.m. Sunday.
Mendez sped away and led the officer on a chase on Highway 360 that reached 100 miles per hour.
When Mendez exited Six Flags Drive, he spun out into a median. For a brief moment it appeared the chase was over.
Then the officer's dash camera video shows Mendez driving straight towards the officer's patrol car.
Lt. Christopher Cook said the officer had no chance to get out of the way.
Her car was smashed.
The officer could be heard on the police radio saying, "I'm pinned in my car, and I don't know where he is."
"It was a very scary moment for her," Lt. Christopher Cook said. "She can't see because of the airbag dust. She doesn't know if the bad guy has exited his truck. She doesn't know if he has a weapon. She doesn't know what he is going to do."
Mendez fled the scene.
He was eventually caught in Fort Worth after leading officers on a second chase. This time on foot.
Officers found Mendez around 8:00 a.m. Sunday passed out on a couch at a family member's home.
Lt. Cook said Mendez confessed to intentionally ramming his truck into the patrol vehicle.
"He could have killed her," said Lt Cook. "He can say all day long that he was just trying to disable her car but with this kind of impact you've made a decision to use your vehicle as a deadly weapon."
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