A high speed chase that began over reports of sidewalk urination ended with the death of a police officer and an 11-year-old boy on Father's Day.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Patton Village Police Sgt. Stacey Baumgartner was dispatched on Sunday night after someone told 911 dispatchers that a man was exposing himself and urinating on the sidewalk, KRTK reported.
Officials said that when Baumgartner arrived at the scene, 29-year-old Garrett William Nee attempted to hit the officer with his vehicle, initiating a high speed chase.
Just 6.5 miles after the chase began, Baumgartner reportedly followed Lee through a red light and was struck by an SUV.
"The force from the crash forced the officer to the immediate right of the intersection and he hit a traffic light pole," DPS Trooper Richard Standifer explained. "The SUV, after the crash occurred, due to the severe damage and the force, it was flipped. It came to rest and was upside down on the 1485 side, just off the improved shoulder."
Police said that Nee returned to the scene of the crime after the accident.
"For whatever reason, he saw fit to come back," Standifer noted. "I'd like to think that's a decent thing for a person to do. The average person who evades from law enforcement rarely comes back. He did do that, I guess to check on the people who were involved in the crash, at which time law enforcement did come up to him and take him into custody."
Baumgartner was declared dead after being transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands. The child was killed instantly, according to reports. Five other people riding in the SUV were said to be in serious but stable condition.
Baumgartner is survived by a wife and 2-year-old daughter. Names of the other victims had not been released by Monday morning.
Nee was taken into custody and is facing multiple charges including intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault and murder.
Watch the video report below from KTRK and KHOU, broadcast June 19, 2016.
