Suspect in Custody Following Chase, Accident

LONGVIEW – A Pueblo, Colorado man, Kenneth Leonard Mestas, 46, is in custody in Longview after leading police on a chase around the city. Police say he was taken into custody after he drove off the roadway and crashed into a parking lot. They say the force of the vehicle then caused him to crash into a vehicle on Airline Road. The final collision resulted in what are termed non-life-threatening injuries to the driver of the other vehicle. The suspect and passenger of the pursued vehicle also sustained non-life-threatening injuries. There were no officers injured during the event.

Around 7:40 Wednesday morning, police were directed to a disturbance on W. Marshall Ave. When the officer tried to make contact with the driver of the vehicle and the passenger involved in the disturbance, they reportedly sped off from the officer. The officer observed the passenger to be in distress and tried to make the stop. The suspect then reportedly led police on a 21-minute chase reaching speeds of 100 MPH. Officers tried several times to deploy spikes to stop the vehicle. Each time the suspect approached the spike strips he drove around them, according to police.

Authorities say the suspect was traveling south on Airline Rd. approaching Hawkins when traffic became congested and he drove off the roadway. Police report he went down a hill and collided with the parking lot driveway, causing the first crash. They say he then collided with another car on Airline Rd. The driver of this vehicle did sustain some injuries and was transported to Good Shepherd North Park. The suspect was transported to a local hospital and then to Gregg County Jail. Officials say the charges and suspect’s identity will be released after his arraignment. The Longview Police Department is encouraging the citizens of Longview to remain aware while driving.