DWI suspect leads Texas deputies on chase with 4 children inside pickup

HOUSTON — A man suspected of drunken driving and leading Texas deputies on a chase with four children inside a pickup truck is in custody, authorities said Sunday.

>> Read more trending news

According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, a DWI unit observed a man in a white Ford pickup truck driving erratically, KPRC reported. The deputies pursued the man and attempted to stop the truck, but the driver refused, the television station reported.

Lt. K.R. Benoit said four children were inside the vehicle during the pursuit, which began at about 1:30 a.m. CST, according to KHOU. The oldest child in the vehicle was 8 years old, the deputy said.

Deputies said the chase lasted 12.8 miles and reached speeds of up to 100 mph, the television station reported.

Benoit said deputies did not realize the children were inside the pickup truck as they pursued the vehicle on the interstate highways in the Houston suburbs, KTRK reported.

Deputies said the driver eventually pulled and exited the vehicle with an infant in his hands, KPRC reported. None of the children were injured, the television station reported.

The driver, who has not been identified, faces several felony charges including child endangerment, evading in a motor vehicle and possibly driving while intoxicated, KHOU reported.

©2021 Cox Media Group