A suspect being transported to jail Saturday evening briefly gained control of a Dallas police squad car before jumping from the moving vehicle onto the R.L. Thornton Freeway.
The incident began around 6:10 p.m. after Dallas police officers arrested the suspect following a traffic stop in the 2300 block of South Marsalis Avenue, according to Senior Public Information Officer Corbin Rubinson, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
Police said the suspect was being transported to jail when he somehow managed to take control of the patrol vehicle while an officer remained inside.
The struggle continued as the vehicle traveled on the northbound lanes of Interstate 35E near Beckley Avenue. Authorities said the officer regained control of the squad car before the suspect exited the moving vehicle and landed on the freeway.
Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to the scene and transported both the suspect and the officer to area hospitals for treatment.
Police later said the officer suffered minor injuries and received medical care at a hospital. The suspect remained hospitalized, and officials had not released his name or the charges he may face.
Authorities have not disclosed how the suspect gained control of the vehicle, nor have they said whether he was struck by passing traffic after leaving the squad car.
No other vehicles or bystanders were reported to have been involved in the incident.
The Dallas Police Department has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the episode.
Further details about the suspect’s condition and any additional charges were not immediately available.
