Couple Leads Law Enforcement in Pursuit, Crash into House in the Bluffs

Two people are behind bars today, but not before leading local law enforcement on a chase that landed a vehicle into a residence in the Bluffs.

According to a Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office report, Deputy Graham Smith received information from Sergeant Investigator Gary Cole about an outstanding first-degree felony warrant from Tom Green County on Amanda Burney, 30, a woman with an extensive criminal record.

Sgt. Cole informed Smith that Burney drives a Chevrolet Tahoe with a temporary Texas license plate, so both Graham and Sergeant Jason Corbell went to assist Sgt. Cole with locating and arresting Burney.

Sgt. Cole located and followed the suspect vehicle traveling west on US 67 South from Southland Boulevard. The vehicle, driven by Hector Zamarron, 30, another individual with an outstanding warrant, traveled through a parking lot, near the intersection of FM 2288 and US 67 South. At that point, Smith observed the vehicle accelerate rapidly above the posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour.

Smith said he got behind the vehicle now traveling northbound on FM 2288, near Drexel Drive. He activated his RADAR display, and noted the vehicle’s speed at 49 miles per hour. Smith then attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle by activating his patrol unit’s red and blue emergency lights.

“The suspect vehicle, which was bearing an unreadable temporary Texas license plate, slowed but continued traveling northbound on FM 2288,” Smith stated in his report.

At the same time, Sgt. Corbell followed Smith to assist while the suspect vehicle turned eastbound onto Melrose Avenue.

“The suspect vehicle did not stop and turned southbound on Avondale Avenue,” Smith said. “The suspect vehicle slowed and continued moving. I activated and deactivated my patrol unit’s audible emergency siren to signal to the suspect vehicle to stop.”

Smith said Zamarron eventually stopped on Avondale Avenue, south of Melrose Avenue, but shortly after, and before he could exit his vehicle, the suspect accelerated once more, indicating an intent to evade detention or arrest.

“I activated my patrol unit’s audible emergency siren as Sgt. Corbell advised dispatch we would be in a vehicle pursuit,” Smith said. “The suspect vehicle evaded south on Avondale Avenue and turned eastbound onto Warwick Drive.”

Zamarron then turned southbound onto Ashford Drive and northbound onto London Court. He went through the driveway of 605 London Court, and traveled through the back yard of 601 London Court.

“I stopped my patrol unit and exited on foot, believing the suspect vehicle could possibly have crashed behind the residence,” Smith noted.

However, Zamarron didn’t stop there. He returned to the roadway on Ashford Drive, losing the officers. After searching for a short time, Smith observed the vehicle traveling northbound on Hunters Glenn Road with several police units following.

Zamarron finally came to a stop after turning westbound onto Sheffield.

“I observed the driver’s legs hanging out of the driver’s window,” Smith explained. “The suspect vehicle crashed into an electrical box, and continued traveling up the driveway to 6005 Sheffield Drive.”

At that point, Smith said Zamarron jumped out of the driver’s window and began evading on foot; however, the vehicle continued traveling until it collided with the residence.

After stopping his patrol unit, Smith pursued Zamarron on foot. He gave several verbal commands to stop.

“The suspect continued to evade me on foot by running away from me,” he said. “The suspect ran along a driveway and toward the rear of the residence. I caught up to the suspect and ordered him to the ground.”

Smith said Zamarron struggled a little, so he checked him for weapons.

“I believed he could have been reaching for a weapon that was concealed underneath his body,” Smith described. “I used a single strike with a closed fist on the muscle group on the suspect’s lower back to gain compliance.”

Smith added that the suspect briefly complied and placed his right hand within his reach. He did finally take Zamarron into custody, but had to use some force while putting him in the patrol unit. As he did so, Smith found methamphetamine in Zamarron’s possession, and saved it for evidence.

“After I searched Hector’s person, I began to walk him to the rear of my patrol unit,” Smith said. “Hector began to stumble and began heaving, as if he were going to vomit.”

Smith said it appeared Zamarron attempted to swallow drugs, and because he was concerned for his safety, he asked dispatch to have an ambulance respond to the location. Smith also checked for outstanding warrants, which Zamarron did have from Austin Pardons and Parole.

As Smith and medical personnel tended to Zamarron, Sgt. Cole took Burney into custody. Smith checked for outstanding warrants and confirmed she had one from Tom Green County.

While Smith transported Burney to the Tom Green County Jail, Medics transported Zamarron to Shannon Medical Center for treatment. Also, other TGCSO officials stayed behind at the scene to assess the damage of the residence. Zamarron was soon released from Shannon and booked into the TGCJ as well and charged with the outstanding warrant, evading arrest, search or transport, possession of a controlled substance and driving with an invalid license.

The Texas Department of Public Safety and the San Angelo Police Department assisted with this incident, and residents in the area said they heard a loud “boom” and saw a lot of lights in the neighborhood that disturbed their otherwise quiet neighborhood.