Headline
San Antonio Man Charged After Leading Deputies on Multi-County Pursuit, Striking Police Unit
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SAN ANTONIO – A 22-year-old man remains in custody this week facing a litany of felony charges after allegedly leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase that spanned from Bexar County into Medina County and resulted in a collision with a Leon Valley police vehicle.
Reynaldo Dwaine Juarez was arrested early Monday morning and has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault against a police officer, evading arrest with a vehicle, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. His bail has been collectively set at $200,000, according to court records.
Incident Details
The incident began at approximately 3:40 a.m. on Monday when a Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputy located a 2009 Cadillac Escalade that had been reported stolen near the intersection of Alamo Parkway and Culebra Road. According to the arrest affidavit, the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver, identified by authorities as Juarez, refused to yield and fled the scene.
The ensuing pursuit traversed multiple jurisdictions across the county. During the course of the chase, investigators allege that Juarez struck a Leon Valley Police Department patrol vehicle occupied by two officers. Both officers sustained minor injuries in the collision and were transported to nearby hospitals for evaluation.
Despite the crash, the suspect reportedly continued to flee, driving at high speeds and at times swerving into oncoming traffic, posing a significant risk to other motorists. The pursuit eventually concluded in Medina County after the suspect’s vehicle spun out of control and came to a stop. Juarez was taken into custody without further incident.
A passenger in the vehicle was also arrested at the scene and faces charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. Deputies reported recovering narcotics and related paraphernalia from the vehicle following the arrest.
Defense and Legal Context
While the allegations detail a chaotic and dangerous series of events, it is important to note that Juarez has not yet entered a plea, and all charges remain accusations at this stage. Under the legal principle of the presumption of innocence, the burden of proof rests with the state to demonstrate guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Defense counsel for Juarez has not yet released a statement regarding the events of Monday morning. If convicted, the charges of aggravated assault against a public servant carry severe sentencing guidelines in Texas, potentially resulting in decades of incarceration depending on the defendant’s criminal history and the specific circumstances of the case.
Background
Vehicle pursuits involving stolen automobiles have become a focal point for law enforcement agencies in the San Antonio metropolitan area. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has recently emphasized the use of inter-agency cooperation to track suspects crossing municipal boundaries, as seen in the coordination between BCSO and Leon Valley police during this incident.
Safety advocates often raise concerns regarding police pursuits, citing data that highlights the risks posed to bystanders and officers during high-speed chases. Law enforcement protocols generally require officers to constantly weigh the immediate danger of the suspect escaping against the potential threat the pursuit itself poses to public safety. In this instance, the pursuit continued across county lines until the vehicle was disabled, ending with no reported injuries to civilian bystanders.
