Kevonte Dekorey Austin, 18, an escaped work-release participant, was taken into custody after a stolen pickup truck he was driving crashed dramatically -- after launching into the air.
The chase and crash happened on Tuesday in Louisiana. Sheriff Gary Sexton said the events began to unfold when a deputy pulled over the driver of a Toyota Tacoma speeding on U.S. Highway 371. As the deputy spoke with the driver outside the truck, Austin, an escaped prisoner who is believed to have stolen a vehicle while on work release, slid into the driver’s seat and sped off.
Sheriff’s deputies chased Austin at speeds reaching 180 km/h.
Austin lost control of the Tacoma when it hit spike strips deputies had set out at Hwy. 371 at U.S. Highway 80 north of Dixie Inn.T he pickup went airborne and landed on a car parked at a restaurant.