More Details on Chase That Injured Flatonia PD Officer
The Fayette County Record
The driver who ran from law enforcement last Sunday and crashed into Flatonia Police Sgt. Trey Tunis was a 21-year-old man from Katy. Trooper Louis Gabler of the Texas Department of Public Safety identified the suspect as Dawson Dailey, 21 of Katy. Gabler was the trooper who pursued Dailey in the chase and later investigated the crash. The chase began on Interstate 10 near Engle in the eastbound lanes. Gabler said he tried stopping the suspect’s vehicle for a traffic violation. Gabler said the vehicle, a maroon 2004 Ford F-250 diesel pickup, exited the Interstate at Engle with its headlights out. The driver took a U-turn under the Interstate and got on the onramp heading west.
The chase continued west on Interstate 10 at speeds of 90 to 95 miles per hour. At one point on the Interstate, Gabler said the driver slammed on his brakes in front of an 18-wheeler and nearly caused a wreck. The driver eventually turned his lights back on.
The Ford exited the Interstate at FM 609 in Flatonia. Gabler said the pickup blew through the stop sign at FM 609 and continued west on the frontage road. Gabler said the pickup continued speeding on the frontage road in the wrong lane.
At that time, Sgt. Trey Tunis of the Flatonia Police Department was in his patrol pickup, a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500, positioned on the Interstate on-ramp at the SH 95 intersection. Tunis was attempting to assist Gabler in the pursuit.
The fleeing pickup tried taking a left turn to head south on SH 95. Gabler estimated that the vehicle was traveling about 75 miles per hour as it tried turning. The pickup overturned, began rolling and crashed into Tunis’ patrol vehicle. Tunis was knocked unconscious and suffered severe cuts. He was flown by helicopter to Dell Seton Hospital in Austin. Tunis has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home, Gabler said.
Dailey was flown by helicopter to St. David’s Hospital in Austin. Gabler said Dailey’s heart stopped beating on the helicopter ride but medics were able to shock him back to life. His injuries included a broken pelvis. Gabler said Dailey is expected to recover. Gabler said he has not yet interviewed Dailey and didn’t know why he ran. Gabler said the vehicle was not stolen. Dailey faces some serious criminal charges. Gabler said Dailey will be charged with evading arrest. Gabler said a toxicology test was ordered, and Dailey could face DWI or DUI charges once the results come back. In addition, Gabler said prosecutors may seek charges of assault on a public servant or intoxication assault.