Texas deputy survives fiery crash during pursuit

[NHGF [Feed]]

By PoliceOne Staff BRYAN, Texas — A deputy sustained several injuries during a pursuit that left his cruiser up in flames on Monday. Grimes County Sheriff’s Deputy Reed Edelman was responding to a domestic disturbance call when he spotted the suspect, 34-year-old Steven Benefield, on his motorcycle, local news station KAGS TV reports. The officer pursued him. During the pursuit, Benefield drove erratically exceeding 130 mph. It began raining heavily causing the officer’s cruiser to hydroplane. The officer lost control of his vehicle and it went off the road, rolled several times, struck a tree and caught fire. Edelman was able to climb out of the vehicle to safety, but suffered several injuries including fractured vertebrae. He was taken to a local hospital and is now recovering at home. Troopers were able to catch Benefield about a mile from the crash and took him into custody. He is charged with evading arrest with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury. Grimes CO Sheriff’s Deputy injured in fiery chase, yesterday. Deputy received injuries but is recovering. Suspect (pictured below) fled police on a motorcycle. He was eventually arrested. #KAGS via @jayobtv pic.twitter.com/z5GxjPB4cz — KAGS News (@KAGSnews) January 29, 2019