BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – The McMullen County Sheriff’s Office has identified the driver of a stolen vehicle who was arrested after leading authorities on a multi-county chase earlier this week.
Juan Jesus Carranza Jr., 35, is charged with four counts of smuggling of persons, smuggling of persons causing serious bodily injury, unauthorized use of a vehicle, evading arrest and aggravated assault against a public servant, deputies said.
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The chase began Monday afternoon in McMullen County after deputies spotted the stolen vehicle that authorities said was from Bexar County.
McMullen County is located south of Jourdanton.
Carranza traveled north on Highway 16, leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a chase through McMullen, Atascosa and Bexar counties, according to the sheriff’s office.
During the pursuit, deputies stated that Carranza attempted to run over a McMullen County Sheriff’s deputy who was trying to deploy spike strips.
Carranza also drove through four different school zones at speeds of around 95 to 100 miles per hour between 3:15 and 3:45 p.m., when students are leaving for the day, the sheriff’s office said.
“The driver blew through every stop sign, intersection, and traffic light driving recklessly and with a wanton disregard for life, safety of others, and the law,” according to the sheriff’s office.
The chase eventually ended with the use of spike strips near the intersection of Kingsride Boulevard and Applewhite Road on the South Side of San Antonio.
Carranza attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly taken into custody, the sheriff’s office stated.
According to deputies, four immigrants lacking permanent legal status were found in the stolen vehicle. One of them was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The sheriff’s office stated that a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, as well as two people whose vehicles collided at the Kingsride Boulevard and Applewhite Road intersection, were also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Carranza remains in the Live Oak County jail, authorities said.
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