TLCA Principal Arrested for DWI, Fleeing Police and Resisting Arrest

SAN ANGELO, TX - Saturday night, at 11:52 p.m., San Angelo Police arrested and booked 44-year-old Christopher Alan Morrow, the principal for Texas Leadership Charter San Angelo, on multiple charges after a concerned caller reported a possible drunk driver in a College Hills neighborhood late Saturday night. 

SAPD Public Information Officer said, at approximately 10:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of Cumberland Drive for the report of a possible drunk driver. 

"While en route, responding officers learned a witness was following a tan colored Chevrolet Suburban, and that the driver of the Suburban was now on College Hills Boulevard traveling towards Avenue N," said Gonzalez.

She added that an officer located a vehicle matching the description of the Suburban traveling in the 1900 block of College Hills Blvd and observed the vehicle. Morrow failed to maintain a single lane and swerved into oncoming traffic. 

"The officer activated his patrol vehicle’s lights and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle’s driver did not stop and drove into oncoming traffic to access the communal Tres Amigos and HEB parking lot," said Gonzalez. "The officer notified dispatch of the vehicle pursuit and additional officers were dispatched to assist. Once inside the parking lot, the driver failed to stop and made several attempts to exit the parking lot. Once backup officers arrived, the units activated their lights and sirens, but the vehicle’s driver continued to attempt to flee the officers until the officers used their vehicles to prevent the driver’s escape." 

Gonzalez stated that the officers made contact with the driver and ordered him to exit the vehicle. 

"The driver smelled of an alcoholic beverage and had difficulty maintaining his balance," noted Gonzalez. "The man became uncooperative, refused to identify himself, disregarded multiple commands, and attempted to walk away several times. When officers attempted to place the man in handcuffs, he resisted."

Additionally, when officers attempted to place Morrow inside a patrol vehicle, he refused the officers’ commands and physically resisted entering the patrol vehicle. 

Gonzalez said, "Officers warned the man that a Taser would be utilized if he continued to resist, but the man continued to disregard their commands and warnings and was subsequently Tasered. After the Taser deployment, the man continued to resist but was eventually placed inside the patrol vehicle."

As standard protocol, Gonzalez said the officers called an ambulance to assess Morrow’s welfare after the Taser deployment, but he refused medical treatment. Morrow was eventually identified by his driver’s license.

"During an inventory of the vehicle, officers located an opened glass bottle of vodka with that was only partially full," said Gonzalez. "Morrow was transported to the Tom Green County Jail and booked for Driving While Intoxicated, Fleeing Police Officer, and Resist Arrest Search or Transport."

In light of Morrow's arrest, TLCA officials had this to say on their website:

"About midday [Sunday], administrators at Texas Leadership Charter Academy became aware that Christopher Morrow, the principal of TLCA-San Angelo high school, had been involved in an incident last night that resulted in his arrest by the San Angelo Police department.

We are saddened and disappointed about the charges, and have placed Dr. Morrow on paid administrative leave. We are currently pursuing the facts of the case with law enforcement. In light of the code of educator ethics and conversations that we had with Dr. Morrow upon hiring, and if these facts are verified, this will lead to his termination. 

Dr. Morrow was hired in May of 2014 where he was introduced to the students and staff and underwent training in TLCA policy and procedure throughout that summer and assumed full duties as principal for the 2014-2015 school year. 

TLCA administration was aware that Dr. Morrow had events of this nature in his past and fully believed that with the time that had passed and the professional references that were gathered, that Dr. Morrow would do a good job for us. Dr. Morrow had completed his legal obligations and was under no restriction. We believed at that time that Dr. Morrow had put these issues behind him.

Our intention is to do what is best for the staff, students and parents of this school. With that in mind, Mr. Johnny Burleson, TLCA athletic director and a former TLCA high school principal will become principal in the interim.  

We would like to remind everyone that Dr. Morrow’s family is still a vital part of our school and this community, and we wish to honor their privacy and the fact that this is a sad and difficult time for them as well."

The past TLCA noted has to do with a similar incident when he was principal of Gonzales High School on Feb. 1, 2013 in Victoria, Texas.

The Gonzales Inquirer reported, on Feb. 8, 2013, that Dr. Christopher Morrow, who assumed his duties as principal at Gonzales High School on June 11, 2012, was arrested for DWI after a two-vehicle crash in Victoria.

At the time, a request to Gonzales ISD superintendent Dr. Kim Strozier regarding Morrow’s employment status was not specifically addressed, but she did say, “It is not our practice to comment on employee matters of a confidential nature,” reported The Gonzales Inquirer.

The news organization also reported that Eline Moya, public information sergeant for the Victoria Police Department, said Morrow was arrested after he failed a field sobriety test following the accident at Main Street (U.S. Highway 87) and Mockingbird Lane on Victoria’s Westside. 

For more on that story, visit here.

According to the news report, Morrow has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master's degree in educational leadership from Texas Tech, and received his doctorate in education leadership and policy studies from Tarleton State University. Morrow holds State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) licenses as a classroom teacher in composite social studies, PK-12 principal and PK-12 superintendent. Morrow also began his career in education as a social studies teacher and coach, and has served in a teacher/coach capacity for seven years before he began his administrative career. He has served as assistant principal and principal at all levels.