An 18-wheeler driver, identified as Trinidad Cutshall, 42, was apprehended on Wednesday following a pursuit and an extended standoff on the East Freeway at Sheldon.
Employing a combination of tear gas, less-than-lethal weapons, and verbal commands, a SWAT team endeavored to extract Cutshall from the truck, where he had adamantly remained.
Eventually, a SWAT team, along with a K-9 unit, was compelled to physically extract him from the vehicle.
Upon removal, Cutshall, visibly injured, was promptly transported to Ben Taub Hospital for facial lacerations. Sheriff Gonzalez indicated that the driver would face felony evading charges.
The sequence of events unfolded when a deputy from the Harris County Sheriff's Office encountered what initially appeared to be a stalled 18-wheeler on the East Freeway near Freeport just before 1 p.m.
Activating sirens to investigate, the deputy's attempt to assist led to a slow-speed pursuit as the driver evaded law enforcement, swerving erratically across multiple lanes.
Despite deploying spike strips, the driver persisted until coming to a halt at Sheldon on the East Freeway, refusing to exit the vehicle.
Law enforcement, with guns drawn, encircled the immobile rig, causing a shutdown of both sides of the freeway.
A police helicopter landed, and a SWAT officer, responding urgently, navigated across lanes to reach the scene. Utilizing a device, officers removed the passenger door and dismantled the back of the cabin.
Unfazed, Cutshall remained in the driver's seat, prompting the use of a K-9 unit and, ultimately, a tactical team to effect his extraction.
Sheriff Gonzalez, citing the driver's apparent impairment, noted persistent attempts to rev the engine during the incident.
“The male remained resistant the entire time and ignored all commands. SWAT team members had to physically pull him out. No injuries to our members. The male is receiving medical attention,” Gonzalez said.
Examination of the truck's container revealed it to be empty. Subsequent to Cutshall's apprehension, the freeway was reopened as the 18-wheeler was cleared from the scene.
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