High-Speed Chase on Gulf Freeway Ends with Arrest of Teen Driver

On Friday, January 17, 2024, Deputies from Constable Jerry Garcia’s Office were conducting traffic enforcement on the Gulf Freeway when they noticed a vehicle speeding. The vehicle was traveling at ninety-six miles per hour in a zone where the speed limit was sixty-five miles per hour.

The deputies attempted to pull over the speeding vehicle by activating their emergency lights and sirens, but the driver refused to stop. Instead, the driver led the deputies on a pursuit, turning off all exterior lights to their vehicle and accelerating even faster.

During the pursuit, the driver endangered the public by weaving in and out of traffic, nearly hitting other vehicles on the road. Eventually, the driver was stopped and taken into custody. The driver was identified as eighteen-year-old James Medrano.

Mr. Medrano was transported to the Harris County Joint Processing Center and booked for Felony Evading.