Suspect fleeing police crashes into motorcycle, killing one

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Reported by: Lauren Lea

Email: LaurenLea@woaitv.com

Reported by: Emily Baucum

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Published: 9/21/2012 10:50 pm

Updated: 9/22/2012 7:58 am

SAN ANTONIO -- For the second time in as many days, a suspect fleeing from police caused a deadly car accident.

Police said it started with a robbery at a home in the 5100 block of Sagamore, off Five Palms. An armed man got away with $20 and fired a shot at the victim, but no one was hurt. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said officers in two marked patrol cars began to chase the suspect down Old Pearsall Road, when he cut through a gas station and entered the northbound lanes of Loop 410, heading the wrong way.

Chief McManus said the officers ended the chase and the suspect collided with a motorcycle. A male driver died at the scene and a female passenger was flown by AirLife to a local hospital. The force of the crash sent the motorcycle flying into the back of another car, but the occupants were not hurt.

The suspect then took off on foot and tried to scale a fence by a school bus barn but an officer was able to capture him. He was still armed with a shotgun, police said.

The 36-year-old suspect is facing charges of aggravated robbery and several others for causing the accident, fleeing police and killing the motorcyclist, Chief McManus.

The officers were following protocol and the chase was "by the book," until the suspect went the wrong way on the highway Chief McManus said. The department has very strict policies on chases, he said.

A man fleeing police struck a family Volvo Wednesday, killing a three-year-old and a one-year-old. He is now charged with capital murder.

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of News 4 WOAI (WOAI.com)

taurus - 9/24/2012 4:04 PM

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woodie. At least you know about law enforcement. I agree, speed does kill, but we cannot forget the oath we took and also to serve the public. I respect every kind of badge that is out on the street and in no way would want to offend a fellow officer. I guess we just have different opinions about certain things which is part of being human. It would be a very boring world if everyone agreed on everything or thought the same. Stay safe.

Woodie - 9/24/2012 1:51 AM

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Taurus don't get your handcuffs in a tissy. I have been an enforcer of the law longer than most. Speed kills, that is a fact. Police have to be responsible to the public and not endanger them going 100 mph just to get a perp. To run is not intelligent and to chase is no more intelligent.Police pursuit as it is currently practiced in the United States is a relatively dangerous, inexact undertaking. Officers, violators and the public are frequently at considerable risk even when management control measures are attempted. Current methods of managing pursuits are cumbersome and difficult to utilize. Communication during pursuits is hampered by the lack of a system for classification of pursuit causation factors, and the reasonable relationship of those factors to available control techniques.

scandals - 9/23/2012 11:36 PM

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Wow again....Just do us all a favor make it a quick trial so we can slip him the needle and be done with it. NO PLEA DEALS... Police called off the chase when it got to dangerous So don't even try and hang this one on the cops.

taurus - 9/23/2012 8:36 PM

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Woodie. If it was your family that got killed by a deranged idiot and the police were there when the perpetrator took off, would you want the police to give chase or let him get away? I don't really believe you would be very happy to see the officers just sitting around waiting for the criminal to escape because of risks. With over 30 years of law enforcement experience, I can safely say that "squealing tires with lights flashing and sirens blaring" is more for the picture screen than real life police work. Law enforcement agencies have pursuit policies in place. They don't just take it upon themselves to haul butt whenever they feel like chasing someone. So, how long have YOU been in law enforcement that you know what it's like out in the streets?

Woodie - 9/23/2012 2:46 PM

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Taurus if it were your children that were killed because of a police hot pursuit, how would you feel? Police have radios, helicopters and equipment to set up road blocks, spike strips and for close up tasers and dogs. The officers can run on foot. There are a lot of tactics that can be used to apprehend the perps, without shooting or driving a lethal weapon such as a couple or more speeding cars. Speed kills and we all know that. Speed limits are set to protect lives. When anyone exceeds the limits they are putting lives at risk, this incluces police officers. I would not be working next to you in law enforcement, because you would have left me in smoke and squealing tires with lights flashing and sirens blaring chasing the perps with tunnel vision.

taurus - 9/23/2012 9:12 AM

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woodie. Why don't you give us your expertise on law enforcement as to what the police department should do in cases like this? Do you think the police should not even try to chase a burglar, rapist, child molester, or killer? I think you would be one to be demanding the police chase someone if a crime happened to you. I sure as hell would not want a guy like you working next to me in law enforcement.

Desron - 9/23/2012 9:06 AM

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News report on another channel said that police called off the chase when he went the wrong way. I say: since he was going the wrong way, he was going to cause an accident whether he was being chased or not. This low-life, sick and pathetic creature is a career criminal who will continue to commit crimes outside and inside prison. This mentally unstable creature needs the death penalty.

Woodie - 9/22/2012 10:40 PM

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Again, hot pursuit by the police killed and injured innocent people. McManus said the police chase followed the book. Need to rewrite the book. Too many innocent people being killed with the police playing chase. Just yesterday I commented on the danger the police cause by chasing the perps. Speed limits are made for everyone to follow and for a good reason, to avoid accidents, injury and death. Stop the HOT PURSUITS! Police killed 2 children and injured several other people in a hot pursuit. Yes the drug guys hit the car as they were being chased by police. Hot pursuit should be a criminal act as it endangers pedestrians, motorists, people at their residences and the general public. Might as well have a shoot out with perps and injure or kill innocent bystanders. When hot pursuits are used the perp and police cars are deadly weapons and often collateral damage happens. Was it worth catching these guys at the expense of a few innocents? This is what law enforcement needs to ask of themselves.

MarcelinoCR - 9/22/2012 4:00 PM

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whatever politic you ares be carefuls out there. use all youre senses when you drivee. it may saves your lifes an your lovee ones. God Bless thee victims.

Deepcscott - 9/22/2012 3:43 PM

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If these cases don't scream death penalty. Nothing does. We should be watching Susan *hiccup* Reed. Earn your pay and give them both the needle. Anything less would be as bad as the crime itself.

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