An intoxicated driver failed to stop for Fort Worth Police Saturday night.
Officers saw a gray pickup truck with no headlights exit a parking lot on Morton St. and begin to drive the wrong way. Then the driver backed up and drove onto a curb. A passenger could be heard telling the driver to stop, officers said.
Officers attempted to stop the driver, who they suspected was intoxicated, at University Dr. and Bailey Ave. The driver failed to stop and a traffic pursuit ensued, according to Fort Worth PD.
"The officers did what the public wanted them to do, when they see a driver that appears to pose a danger to the public, they try and get that person off the road," Sgt. Jason Spencer said during a press conference addressing the case on Monday.
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
Police followed the driver and watched as he cut in front of oncoming traffic, and jumped a curb into a bank parking lot where the driver hit a pole. Despite damage to the car, the driver continued to flee toward the West 7th area in Fort Worth.
The driver drove around stopped traffic at the West 7th St. and University Dr. intersection, where he hit a pole, vehicle and proceeded to hit two adult pedestrians on the far side of the intersection.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Police were able to render aid to the pedestrians and they were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, Fort Worth PD said.
"Our pursuit policy looks at the danger that a driver may pose to the public based on a number of factors that our officers always have to weigh." Sgt. Spencer said. "Whether letting a person escape would pose a greater danger to the public than attempting to apprehend them during the pursuit."
The driver, identified by Fort Worth Police Andrew Gurrea, was taken into custody and transported to a hospital to be treated. Gurrea refused to provide a blood sample and officers obtained a search warrant for his blood alcohol content to be determined, Sgt. Spencer said.
The 29-year-old is currently in the Tarrant County Jail on a $95,000 bond. He was charged with Evading Arrest/Detention with Vehicle Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Intoxication Assault with Vehicle Causing Seriously Bodily Injury, and Unlawful Restraint, according to Fort Worth Police.
Fort Worth Police said the passenger in Gurrea's truck has been cooperative and is the victim in the Unlawful Restraint charge.
"Impaired driving is inexcusable at this point," Sgt. Spencer said. "There are just too many viable options for getting home safely, from ride shares, to taxis, to calling a friend, to having a designated driver, we just want to emphasize that."
