Driver is wounded after chase

South Houston officer fired when man drove at him

By DALE LEZON HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Tue 09/29/2009 Houston Chronicle, Section B, Page 2, 3 STAR R.O. Edition

A South Houston police officer shot and wounded a man who apparently tried to run down the lawman after colliding with him during a chase.

The shooting happened on Allen-Genoa near Spencer Highway about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, said South Houston Police Department Chief Herbert Gilbert.

The 18-year-old driver, whose name has not been released because no charges have been filed against him, was wounded in the upper left shoulder and taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. He is expected to survive.

The officer, whose name has not been released, was not injured. He has been on the force for two years.

Gilbert said the shooting occurred after a patrol officer stopped the driver because the light above his rear license plate was out. The driver sped away, and the officer pursued.

Another officer who joined the chase collided with the driver. When that officer got out of his squad car, the driver accelerated toward him, Gilbert said. The officer fired two shots, hitting the man.

One shot hit the car's hood and the other smashed through the windshield.

Gilbert said the man's car had been reported stolen in Corpus Christi. He said the man also is wanted on a felony warrant for larceny in Corpus Christi.

dale.lezon@chron.com

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