Texas Accident & Injury News
Vehicle pursuits have a high risk of ending in an accident.
High-Speed Police Chase Ends in Crash, Leaves Two Deputies and Multiple Civilians Injured
According to a News4SanAntonio report, a driver was arrested after a police pursuit that ended in a multi-vehicle crash with several injuries.¹
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says the incident happened at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, September 13th, at the intersection of IH-35 and N Weidner Road on the Northeast Side. Deputies spotted a BMW weaving through traffic at high speeds and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to pull over and instead accelerated, passing another deputy. A pursuit began and ended when one of the deputies’ vehicles collided with a pickup truck and an SUV in the intersection.
Both deputies inside the patrol unit were injured—one with a head injury and the other with a wrist injury. Multiple civilians in the other vehicles were also injured, including a minor who was not wearing a seatbelt. All were transported to the hospital with injuries described as minor.
The BMW driver, identified as 19-year-old Michael Castilleja, fled the scene but was later located at his girlfriend’s house and arrested.
Did You Know?
In 2024, 558 accidents in Texas were caused by drivers failing to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle.²
Accidents Caused by Failing to Yield to Emergency Vehicles
Emergency vehicles play a critical role in protecting the public, but they can only do so if drivers follow the law. When motorists fail to yield to police, fire, or EMS vehicles with lights and sirens activated, the risk of a crash rises dramatically.
High-speed pursuits, such as the one in this case, add another layer of danger. Officers may need to navigate intersections quickly or cross traffic to keep up with a fleeing driver, which makes surrounding drivers especially vulnerable if they fail to move aside.
Texas’s Move Over/Slow Down Law
Texas law requires drivers to move over one lane or slow down at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights. This law applies to police, firefighters, EMS crews, tow truck drivers, and TxDOT vehicles.
Failing to follow this law is more than a traffic violation. It puts lives at risk and can lead to catastrophic collisions, as emergency personnel often work in fast-moving traffic conditions.
Why These Crashes Happen
Drivers fail to yield for many reasons, including:
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Distraction — Looking at a phone or similarly distracting activity.
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Confusion — Not knowing whether to pull over, stop, or move over.
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Obstructed visibility — Noise, curves, or traffic blocking sight or sound.
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Willful disregard — Some drivers intentionally ignore lights and sirens.
Crashes don’t always affect just the negligent driver—other drivers can end up injured through no fault of their own when someone fails to yield.
Who May Be Liable?
When drivers fail to yield and cause an accident, they are typically held liable. However, liability in crashes involving emergency vehicles can be complex. Questions may arise about:
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Whether the emergency vehicle had lights and sirens on.
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Whether officers were driving reasonably given the conditions.
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Whether another negligent driver contributed to the collision.
Because multiple vehicles and parties are often involved, these cases require careful investigation and strong legal guidance.
Injured in a Crash Involving an Emergency Vehicle? Call Shaw.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving a police chase anywhere in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for:
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Ambulance Costs
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ER Care
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Surgeries
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Medical Bills
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Missed Work
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Pain and Suffering
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Property Damage
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Wrongful Death
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And More
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 for a free case evaluation with an experienced Texas accident attorney. No fees, no obligations—just the expert legal advice you need when you need it most.
Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name across Texas for more than 32 years because we put our clients first.