SPURGER – Deputies with the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest in a high-speed chase that began in Woodville and ended in Spurger.
According to Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford, the arrest, which was a joint effort between Woodville Police officers and TCSO, resulted in multiple charges for 33-year-old Marc Anthony Soto, a Woodville man, who was “extremely intoxicated” when apprehended.
Weatherford said the pursuit started in Woodville, on the evening of Friday, July 11, when officers with the Woodville Police Department attempted to stop Soto, who was travelling along US Highway 190 East, for a traffic violation. Soto failed to stop, and turned onto FM 1746, with police still in pursuit, and the suspect travelling at a high rate of speed.
Weatherford said that deputies with TCSO were already in the Spurger area, and had deployed the Stinger Spike System, which is a slow tire deflation device, near the intersection of FM 1013 and FM 2992.
Sotos vehicle did make contact with the tire spikes, and he travelled a short distance onto FM 1013, before coming to a stop, Weatherford said.
When the lawmen were able to make contact with Soto, they realized his state of intoxication, and according to Weatherford, he needed support standing up.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a small caliber handgun, and Soto was transported to the Tyler County Jail. He was charged with felony evading arrest with a motor vehicle; driving while intoxicated and unlawfully carrying a weapon. His bonds were set at a total of $32,500 by Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Tina Self. Soto has since been released on bond.
