Sheriff Weighs in on High-Speed Chase and How his Deputy Slammed into a Liquor Store

BIG SPRING, TX — Howard County Sheriff Stan Parker in Big Spring released more information about the high-speed chase that caused his deputy to slam into a liquor store.

Parker said early this morning at 6:26 a.m. his dispatch was notified that two stolen vehicles were being driven north into Big Spring from Sterling City at speeds of around 90 mph. Both vehicles were 2014 Ram 3500 pickups owned by Utilitec, LLC of Oklahoma. Both Rams were stolen from a hotel in Sweetwater. Neither was locked and both had the keys inside the cab when the trucks were stolen.

Parker’s deputies attempted to make traffic stops on both trucks seven miles south of Big Spring on U.S. 87. Both trucks refused to stop and a high-speed chase ensued. Big Spring police and the Texas DPS joined the chase as the two stolen trucks approached Big Spring city limits.

One of the stolen Ram 3500 trucks went out-of-control turning onto FM 700, then regained control to soon after travel the wrong way on a turn-around lane over FM 700, and then continued to rejoin U.S. 87, with law Parker’s deputy in close pursuit.

As if the two truck rustlers were working together, the second Ram 3500 slammed into Parker’s deputy as he was rejoining U.S. 87 chasing the first pickup. The impact sent the deputy’s SUV careening into Sam’s Package Store at 3409 S. Gregg. The deputy, Dominic Rocha, was injured and rushed to the local hospital and tended to and accompanied by a second sheriff’s deputy.

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Above: Howard County Sheriff's deputy slammed into a liquor store on July 25, 2019. (Contributed/HCSO)

Meanwhile, other deputies, Big Spring police, and DPS continued the chase. The first Ram 3500 finally surrendered in the 400 block of S. Nolan in Big Spring. A 16-year-old female from San Angelo, a 17-year-old male, and an adult named Ricco Lujan from Sweetwater were arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. A third 16-year-old male, who Parker said was the driver, was charged with aggravated assault of a public servant, evading arrest, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Ricco Lujan is in jail in Howard County. The juveniles are in the custody of juvenile probation there.

The second Ram 3500 was found abandoned in an alleyway in the vicinity of the 1900 block of S. Nolan.

The injured deputy, Rocha, was treated for his injuries at the emergency room and released. Parker said he is in good condition but beaten and bruised. Parker released Rocha to go home and recover for a while.

Parker said there are more suspects to be caught and to stay tuned.