I-10 update: Suspect takes his own life after chase, standoff; interstate has reopened

PLANO, TX — A two-hour police chase out of Houston led to a standoff and closure of I-10 in Fayette County early Thursday morning.

The suspect later took his own life as a SWAT team moved in, according to deputy constables with Harris County Precinct 5.

The chase began before 4 a.m. when a deputy constable spotted the suspect, who was allegedly asleep behind the wheel of his vehicle sitting in a moving lane of traffic. The suspect woke up, leading officers and deputies on a chase through Houston.

The chase went from downtown to midtown and then west of Houston by about 100 miles. During the pursuit, the man allegedly fired gunshots at deputies.

Authorities used a spike strip to flatten the driver’s tires, and he eventually came to a stop in the middle of I-10’s westbound lanes west of Schulenburg.

Deputies closed the interstate to traffic for several hours as negotiators and a SWAT team were called in. KHOU 11’s Anayeli Ruiz was the first reporter on the scene and said bangs could be heard around 9 a.m.

That’s when a SWAT team surrounded the suspect’s vehicle, and the man took his own life, deputy constables said.

Currently, no names have been released.

The interstate fully reopened after 10 a.m.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-8255.