Interstate 10 Standoff Ends in Fayette County

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports on Thursday morning the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office around 4:18 am of a vehicle pursuit on Interstate 10 traveling westbound towards Fayette County. 

The pursuit started in Harris County where the driver of the vehicle had fired several shots at Harris County Constable’s that are in the pursuit. Fayette County Deputies, Schulenburg Police Officers, Flatonia Police Officers and the Department Of Public Safety Troopers all responded to the pursuit. Law Enforcement was advised the vehicle’s tires were spiked in Colorado County and the driver continued driving on rims.

The vehicle entered Fayette County on I-10 westbound and came to a stop at the 671 mile marker about a mile past Schulenburg in the lane of traffic. The driver continued displaying a handgun as law enforcement had I-10 shut down east and westbound for the safety of traveling motorists.

Fayette County activated the Austin-Fayette County SRT team who responded to the scene. After a long standoff and attempted negotiations with the driver, CS gas was deployed by the SRT team in an effort to end the standoff. The driver fired his weapon and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound around 8:50 am. Texas Ranger Brent Barina responded to the scene along with Fayette County Justice of the Peace in Precinct Four Dan Mueller who conducted an Inquest and the Investigation of this Incident.

The name of the driver is being withheld pending notification of family members. Assisting with traffic control was the Texas Department of Transportation of Colorado and Fayette Counties.