The suspect, Nicholas Collie, 21, of Boyd proceeded to lead a squadron of sheriff's deputies, state troopers and police officers on a half hour chase through the county. The convoy raced down numerous county roads and onto Texas 114 through parts of Boyd, Paradise and Bridgeport at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour.
Just south of Bridgeport on Farm Road 920 state troopers ended the chase by shooting out the radiator and several tires on the fleeing truck.
The truck ran into a ditch, and the suspect jumped out. He was apprehended moments later. Collie was charged with theft between $100,000 to $200,000, theft of less than 100 head of cattle, unauthorized use of vehicle and evading arrest with a motor vehicle. He is being held in Wise County Jail on a $195,000 bond.
Lonny Haschel, a spokesperson with Texas Highway Patrol, said the decision was made to shoot out the tires and radiator after Collie endangered the lives of officers.
"The driver, for as of yet unknown reasons, starting swerving the truck at officers," Haschel said. "When there comes a time that officers' lives are in danger, decisions have to be made."
He said the troopers chose to shoot out the tires rather than lay down spikes due to the size and weight of the vehicle. Spikes are useful against passenger vehicles, but they can be ineffective in stopping an 18-wheeler.
The Texas Rangers are investigating this case. It's possible Collie will receive an additional charges or charges.
Haschel said they don't know what Collie expected to accomplish by stealing the truck loaded with cattle. But Collie did tell officers that "he was high and the truck looked good."
Ranchers had just finished loading the trailer when Collie jumped in the truck and sped off. One of the ranchers trailed Collie for a while until deputies located them.
The chase not only endangered the lives of officers, but also citizens and the animals on board the truck. At times Collie veered the truck directly into the path of oncoming traffic. Eventually, officers were able to place themselves in a position to shut down all the oncoming traffic.
Assistant Bridgeport Police Chief Steve Stanford said their department was focused on shutting down roadways when the westbound chase approached the city limits from Texas 114.
"We blocked a couple of roadways trying to keep citizens out of the way of the pursuit," Stanford said.
As the out-of-control tractor-trailer approached the city limits Bridgeport officers were reminded of the high speed chase last April that resulted in the death of a Bridgeport officer.
Sgt. Randy White was attempting to clear traffic from Texas 114 on April 7 when Stephen York, who was also driving a stolen vehicle, struck him.
"This was a very similar situation to what happened in April," Stanford said. "It's the first thing you think about ... We were very lucky nobody got injured. I'm proud of our guys. They did everything they could do to keep people safe."
