New Braunfels, TX (May 7, 2026) – A garbage truck driver suspected of being intoxicated struck multiple vehicles, hit a wall, and injured four people during a chase that stretched from New Braunfels to Austin on Wednesday, May 6.
The incident began in the 17000 block of FM 306, where a deputy attempted to pull over the truck driver after a report of reckless and possibly impaired driving. The driver refused to stop. He ran a red light, struck a vehicle, and drove over a tire-deflation device that deputies had deployed, blowing out both front tires, before hitting another vehicle, jumping a curb, and merging onto I-35.
The chase continued north on I-35 toward Austin. Near Seguin, a third tire failed. The driver then allegedly attempted to ram a state trooper off the road before the truck ultimately crashed into a wall. Six vehicles were hit in total, and four people were hurt across the course of the pursuit.
Authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances of the incident, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
Our thoughts are with those injured as they receive medical care.
What Happens When a Commercial Vehicle Refuses to Stop for Police in Texas?
In Texas, a driver who refuses to stop for law enforcement and flees in a commercial vehicle faces serious criminal exposure. A chase involving a large truck, like a garbage truck, is treated with heightened concern because of the vehicle’s size and the damage it can cause. Standard pursuit protocols are often adjusted to account for the added risk to other drivers on the road.
Tire-deflation devices are one of the most common tools used by Texas law enforcement to slow a fleeing vehicle without direct physical contact; they are designed to gradually deflate tires rather than cause a sudden blowout. Even when these devices work as intended, a driver determined to keep going can remain a threat for miles before the vehicle becomes undrivable.
