Florida man arrested in 18-wheeler pursuit on I-20

SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a Florida man was arrested by Smith County officials on Friday after he refused to pull over while taking up both lanes on I-20.

At 1:47 p.m. a citizen reported that a gray 18-wheeler was straddling both lanes while driving eastbound on I-20 and was not allowing other drivers to pass. Officials identified the driver of the 18-wheeler as Cecil Devon Brown, 43, of Pensacola, Florida who recently quit his job at a transport company. The transport company told Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials that Brown did not have permission to drive the 18-wheeler and they believe he was fleeing to Florida.

As Brown continued to head east on I-20 near Highway 69, a constable with Smith County Precinct 5 attempted to get Brown to pull over by flashing his police lights, but Brown would not follow directions from law enforcement. Christian said officials believe that Brown was not trying to run from law enforcement because he never exceeded 70 miles per hour during the pursuit, they believe he just did not want to stop.

Brown kept heading east passing Highway 14 and several mile markers as multiple law enforcement agencies joined the pursuit, according to Christian. Once Brown started getting closer to Highway 135 near Gregg County, officials prepared to lay out road spikes. Just before Brown reached the Gregg County line leaving Smith County, road spikes were deployed and Brown ran them over near mile markers 573 and 581.

The spikes deflated several of the 18-wheeler’s tires and sparks began to fly around mile marker 582. Brown then took Exit 42 towards Kilgore and exited I-20 before pulling into the parking lot of a local Baskin Robbins. Christian said Brown was taken into custody at 2:24 p.m. by the Smith County Precinct 5 constables office.

According to Christian, Brown will face an evading arrest in a vehicle charge and could possibly be charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Officials are still investigating this incident and do not know why Brown refused to pull over.

Nobody was injured during this pursuit and no other property damage was reported other than the 18-wheeler’s tires.

The following law enforcement agencies were involved in this pursuit.

Smith County Constable Precinct 5
Smith County Sheriff’s Office
The Texas Department of Public Safety
Constable Precinct 4
Gregg County Sheriff’s Office