Katy Drivers Spend Hours on Freeway; Police Chase Ends in Suspect Taken by Lifeflight

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

August 6, 2021

By Natalie Cook Clark

Multiple law enforcement agencies shut down the Katy Freeway yesterday near Mason Road. Katy drivers report being stranded for up to two hours. A traffic stop turned into a police chase. It ended with the driver suffering a gunshot wound to the head.

Lifeflight lands on Katy Freeway near Mason Road as suspect suffers gunshot wound to the head. Photo credit: Jason Tharp.

A Routine Traffic Stop Turns into a Police Chase

A deputy attempted to pull over the vehicle with 3 individuals inside at 2605 Katy Fort Bend Road. The normal traffic stop quickly turned into a police chase that ended at the Katy Freeway eastbound, near Mason Road.

“The driver suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was taken by lifeflight,” says Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. “Two others were taken into custody.”

Suspect Out on Two Felony Bonds

The suspect and driver was out on two felony bonds for deadly conduct and discharging of a firearm. It is unclear what the reason for the traffic stop was, but the pursuit was led by the Houston Police Department. Other agencies quickly responded to offer aide.

Katy’s Harris County ESD 48 Fire Department was one of the agencies at the scene offering assistance.

“Crews responded to a police chase that ended on the Eastbound lanes of the Katy Freeway near Mason Road,” says Jason Tharp, Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction and PIO at ESD 48 Fire Department.

Photo credit: Jason Tharp

Investigation is Ongoing

The agency brought Engine 1 assisted Medic 1 along with Supervisor 3 with patient care while Battalion 1 set up a landing area for Life Flight.

Sheriff Gonzalez says that no deputies were injured in yesterday’s incident.

Houston Police report that they believe the driver shot himself. This incident is still under investigation. The driver is listed in critical condition.