Deputy pulls combative man from burning vehicle following chase

Incident began shortly after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday

SAN ANTONIO – A man involved in a late night crash is facing multiple charges after leading deputies on a pursuit and then becoming combative during an arrest, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

The incident began shortly before 11:30 p.m. Wednesday when a Bexar County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a crash off Interstate 35 in south Bexar County, where a truck had been hit from behind by a car.

James Keith, a spokesman for the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, said the driver of the vehicle, Baltazar Garcia, drove away and then hit several utility poles. Garcia then stopped, Keith said, and ran to a gas station and where he stole two bottles of gas treatment in an attempt to fix his damaged car.

The deputy saw Garcia drive away and attempted to stop his vehicle, Keith said. Garcia then drove south on Interstate 35 near Von Ormy with no headlights on.

During the brief pursuit south of Loop 1604, Garcia’s car caught fire, Keith said. According to the BCSO, the fire obstructed Garcia’s view and he crashed the vehicle into the center median and cable barriers off I-35 South and Kinney Road.

Garcia then got out of the car but refused to comply with the deputy’s orders, Keith said. The deputy used a taser on Garcia when Garcia became combative hitting the deputy in the face before eventually being detained when additional deputies arrived at the scene, Keith said.

Keith said the deputy suffered a cut to his nose, scrapes and scratches to his elbows, and soreness to his right arm and shoulder. He was treated at an area hospital.

Keith said Garcia suffered bumps and bruises as well as a puncture wound to his thigh, most likely from the crash.

While being treated by Acadian EMS Garcia spit in the face of one of the paramedics Keith said, and kept resisting efforts to restrain him even while in handcuffs before being placed in leg irons. Keith said paramedics had to give Garcia a sedative so they could safely transport him to University Hospital.  

Once released, Garcia will be booked on multiple charges including resisting arrest and assault on a public servant. 


About the Authors:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.