Man leads police on 100 mph chase through city

GONZALES — A local man faces felony charges after leading police on a high-speed chase through several streets before eventually being apprehended, officials say.

At 10 p.m. Feb. 19, Officer Tyler Wendland was parked in the 1200 block of St. Vincent St. when he noticed a vehicle with malfunctioning taillights drive past him, Capt. Allen Taylor reported. When Wendland turned to follow the car, it suddenly accelerated, reaching speeds of 70-80 mph (in a 30 mph zone.)

The car then turned south on St. Joseph St., heading toward Highway 183, accelerating to over 100 mph. It then turned east on to Wallace, then south on St. John, Taylor said.

The car continued on St. John for two blocks before turning west into a field, once again heading toward Hwy 183. The driver then exited the vehicle, with it still moving, running on foot as the driverless car’s momentum caused it to crash into a ditch between St. John and Hwy 183. It then came to a stop in a puddle of water.

The man, later identified as José Rodriguez, 42, of Gonzales, ran toward the Casa Rio apartments, leapt over a fence and continued running south. Wendland and Sgt. Dean Sheehan were eventually able to run Rodriguez down. Rodriguez scuffled with officers, but Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Cowan arrived to assist and the three were able to detain him.

Rodriguez was taken to Gonzales Memorial Hospital where he was treated for a laceration to the head. He was later transported to Gonzales County Jail and charged with evading in a vehicle, resisting arrest, driving with an invalid license with previous convictions and evading on foot.