The following is a news release from the Lubbock Police Department:
One person is in custody after crashing a stolen SUV into an unmarked Lubbock Police Department car. One officer and another occupant in a pickup truck were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.
Thursday morning at approximately 9:40, an individual called LPD saying he was following a SUV he knew to have been stolen the night before. The caller remained in contact with dispatch, updating them on where the vehicle was headed.
Officers located the vehicle in the area of 66th Street and University. The suspect refused to pull over and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, officers gathered information that identified the suspect.
The pursuit was called off just five minutes later due to knowing the suspect’s identity and having other options to apprehend the suspect in a safer manner.
Related Story: Officer Hurt When Suspect Crashed Into Lubbock Police Unit
LPD officers in unmarked vehicles continued to patrol the area the suspect was last seen. Approximately five minutes after the pursuit was canceled, the suspect was traveling westbound on 42nd Street and failed to yield the right of way at the stop sign leading into Quaker Avenue.
The suspect entered Quaker Avenue, striking an unmarked police car that just happened to have been patrolling the area. The police car was traveling northbound on Quaker and was struck on the passenger side by the suspect.
As a result of the crash, a pickup truck traveling southbound on Quaker were also struck. A SUV was struck by debris.
The police officer and the rear passenger of the pickup truck were transported to the hospital with moderate injuries.
The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Denise Henderson, refused treatment from EMS. Henderson was arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading in a motor vehicle, and other outstanding warrants. It is possible she will face additional charges.
Per LPD policy, since the crash involved an officer, investigators with the Accident Investigation Unit were called to the scene to begin an investigation.
(News release from LPD)
