Jury Acts Quickly, Finds Man Guilty of Evasion in Wild Chase, LIVINGSTON, May 10, 2016 - On May 8, 2017, after a half-day of testimony in the 411th Judicial District Court before Judge Kaycee Jones, a jury found William Michael Munn guilty of the felony offense of Evading Arrest or Detention with a Motor Vehicle. He is expected to be sentenced on May 30, 2017.
At trial, evidence presented by Assistant Criminal District Attorney Nicole Washington showed that on September 26, 2015, DPS Trooper Ramey Bass, while working routine patrol in Goodrich, confirmed a black Ford Mustang traveling at a speed of 100 mph in a 65 mph posted zone traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 59. Trooper Bass activated his police lights to initiate a traffic stop on the Mustang. The vehicle failed to stop, so Trooper Bass initiated a pursuit. During trial, jurors watched dash cam footage of the pursuit, during which the vehicle exceeded speeds of 140 mph, traveled closely behind other motorists and swerved quickly, causing them to take evasive action. Munn failed to stop in response to the overhead lights, strobe lights, and audible siren from Trooper Bass’ clearly marked DPS vehicle. Livingston Police Department officers joined the pursuit. The vehicle continued to travel northbound, failing to stop at a red light on U.S. 59 in Corrigan. Corrigan Police Department officers were dispatched to close U.S. 287 in both directions for the safety of other motorists. Due to its high speed, the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and drove through a wooden fence and a hurricane fence at a private residence before coming to a stop. Officers were able to make contact with the subject at that time, and Munn was arrested without incident. Although appearing intoxicated on an unknown substance, testing revealed neither recreational nor prescription drugs, nor the presence of alcohol in Munn’s system. Armed with this evidence, Washington argued to jurors that Munn intentionally evaded Trooper Bass from Goodrich to Corrigan. The jury agreed, returning a verdict in less than 15 minutes.
The Polk County Criminal District Attorney’s Office would like to express appreciation to Trooper Bass and responding officers from each law enforcement agency involved in ensuring the safety of other motorists during this pursuit. Washington would also like to thank the jury for their time and attention in this case.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
Stop having to buy new tires every six months! FIX IT ONCE AND FOR ALL!
28 year old William Michael Munn, of Lake Jackson, crashed this Ford Mustang through two fences and came to rest in someone's back yard off US-59 in downtwon Corrigan.
Wild Chase That Started in Goodrich Ends in North Polk County, CORRIGAN, September 26, 2015 - At approximately 1:30 am on September 26, 2015, Corporal Ramey Bass with the Texas Highway Patrol, was on patrol on US-59 in Goodrich when a black Ford Mustang blew by him doing over 100 mph. Corporal Bass attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver opted to evade and pursuit was established. Bass radioed to dispatch to alert Livingston PD that the pursuit was headed their way. The chase exceeded 140 mph and blew through Livingston quickly. Sergeant Darrell Newman with Livingston PD joined in the pursuit. Bass radioed to dispatch that the driver was weaving during the chase. The chase went all the way to downtown Corrigan where the suspect entered a curve too fast and crashed through the white picket fence at Corrigan City Hall, drove across the lawn, crashed through the other side of the fence, went through two parking lots, then crashed through a chain link fence and entered the back yard of someone's residence where the vehicle finally stopped because it was disabled. By now, Corporal Bass, Deputies Billy Duke and Cody Hardy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Sergeant Darrell Newman with Livingston PD, Officers Teddy Sims, Celistino Molina, and Corporal Erik Bolton, with Corrigan PD, and two additional Troopers from Angelina County were all at the scene. Officer Teddy Sims opened the suspect's door (suspect identified as William Michael Munn, 28, of Lake Jackson) and detained him. Officer Sims took Munn to the ground and cuffed him. An ambulance was summoned from Americare Ambulance Service to examine Munn. Munn was not physically hurt. Munn was however, acting bizarre and appeared to be on some kind of drugs. Deputy Billy Duke took Munn into custody and transported him to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital for a mandatory blood withdrawal, then to Polk County Jail where Munn was booked in and is facing a list of charges. Munn's vehicle was recovered by Riley Wrecker Service and will be stored in Corrigan.
Munn was acting bizarre as if on some kind of drugs. He was taken to CHI Livingston Memorial Hospital for a mandatory blood withdrawal.
Corporal Ramey Bass was the Trooper who initially spotted Munn. Munn was driving over 100 mph.
Munn was detained by Officer Teddy Sims with Corrigan PD. Munn's bizarrness cotinued as he made strange motions with his legs.
Corporal Bass gathers evidence from Munn's vehicle as Deputy Billy Duke looks on.
The pursuit at times exceeded 140 mph. and entered downtown Corrigan where Munn lost control and crashed through the picket fence at Corrigan City Hall (Officers Erik Bolton, Teddy Sims, and Celestino Molina with Corrigan PD pictured).
During Munn's dash across the lawn of Corrigan City Hall, upon exiting the lawn, he took out this historical marker.
Munn then proceeded through a couple of parking lots then crashed through this fence and came to rest in someone's back yard.
During the crash, Munn's airbag deployed.
(L - R) Deputy Cody Hardy, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Officer Teddy Sims, Corrigan PD, Munn, Deputy Billy Duke, Sheriff's Office (Sergeant Darrell Newman, Livingston PD in background).
Munn didn't mind hamming it up for the PolkCountyToday.com camera.
Munn's vehicle was recovered by Riley Wrecker Service out of Corrigan.
(L - R) Mixi, Hedi, and Molly were taken aback by the odd situation.
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