Dallas police released video showing a handcuffed suspect allegedly escaping custody, driving away in a squad car with an officer inside, and jumping from the moving vehicle onto Interstate 35.
The Dallas Police Department released the critical incident video June 4 after the May 30 incident near Interstate 35 and Illinois Avenue. The video includes in-car, body-worn, and dash-camera footage.
DPD Details Escape From Custody
Major Bobby Epperson of DPD’s Crimes Against Persons Division said the incident began around 5:35 p.m. when Officers Ibrahim Kante and Kenneth Harper conducted a traffic stop for a registration violation in the 2300 block of South Marsalis Avenue.
The stop led to the arrest of Stacey Huffman, 37, on charges of Driving While License Invalid, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, according to DPD.
Officer Kante handcuffed Huffman and placed him in the rear seat of the squad car while officers continued their investigation.
DPD said Huffman later slipped his left hand out of the handcuffs and concealed his hands behind his body. As officers began taking Huffman to jail, he tried to open the locked rear door and removed his seatbelt, according to police.
Officer Inside As Squad Car Drives Away
Around 6:10 p.m., Officers Harper and Kante stopped the squad car on northbound I-35 near Illinois Avenue and got out to restrain Huffman.
While both officers stood outside the squad car, Huffman climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away, according to DPD.
Officer Harper got into the rear seat as Huffman fled. Officer Kante remained outside the vehicle.
DPD said Harper deployed his Taser, but Huffman pulled the wires away. Harper then drew his duty weapon.
As Huffman accelerated, Harper struck him on the side of the head with the weapon, according to police.
DPD said Huffman kept driving erratically, causing the squad car to fishtail and throwing Harper across the back seat as the officer tried to regain control.
Suspect Exits Moving Squad Car
After driving roughly 1,000 feet at speeds reaching about 50 mph, Huffman opened the driver’s door and exited the moving squad car, according to DPD.
Harper regained control of the squad car and avoided a collision.
Huffman became unconscious, and officers took him into custody, according to police.
Medical personnel took both Huffman and Harper to a local hospital. Harper received treatment and left the hospital. Huffman remained hospitalized.
DPD said Huffman will face the original charges, along with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Escape from Custody, after his release from the hospital.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, initial reports said a suspect being taken to jail briefly gained control of a Dallas police squad car before exiting the moving vehicle on the R.L. Thornton Freeway. The newly released DPD video and briefing provided additional details on how the incident unfolded.
DPD’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the incident. The department said it notified the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Community Police Oversight.
DPD said the investigation remains active and that information may change as officers review additional evidence, forensic analysis, and video.
