Suspected Car Thief Hospitalized Following Police Chase

TYLER — A suspected car thief is hospitalized after a chase with police. Tyler officers responded to a report of a woman following her stolen car near Gentry just after 2:00 this morning. As authorities attempted to stop the suspect, he sped off and crashed the car into a tree. The suspect, identified as Deaveron Dean, 24, reportedly fled into a wooded area and was caught a short time later. He was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

The fire department was called out a short time later when police learned that the car had caught fire due to the crash. Officials say Dean will be charged with evading arrest and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. According to online Smith County judicial records, Dean has a lengthy criminal history with charges including theft of property, burglary of a vehicle, unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest.