Driver of 18-wheeler leads Texas authorities on hours-long chase through 4 counties before tires shot, spike strips used

An erratic driver of an 18-wheeler led Texas authorities on an epic pursuit Saturday that involved collisions with other vehicles. The dangerous chase finally ended after some of the truck’s tires were shot out and spike strips were used, according to police and reports.

Florida trucker Christopher John Lubowski was charged with two felonies following the “extremely dangerous” two-hour chase through four counties in the Houston area Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

The suspect was charged with two felony counts. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

The 51-year-old even made a U-turn on a highway and drove into oncoming traffic, according to police footage obtained by ABC 13. Other footage showed the trucker driving on a median and plowing through red lights as other cars tried to avoid getting slammed by the huge truck.

“I was coming down with my family and all of a sudden I see one cop and all of a sudden 100 cars of police just chasing that big 18-wheeler,” said witness Zack Shami, whose car was almost struck by the truck, ABC 13 reported.

Another driver wasn’t as lucky. Sean Fernandez wasn’t hit by the truck head-on, but the front of his car was still badly damaged, the station reported.

The truck made a U-turn at one point. ABC 13

Multiple law enforcement agencies began their pursuit of the truck around 1:45 p.m. when other drivers dialed 911 about the 18-wheeler driving erratically on Highway 59, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said.

“It’s extremely dangerous,” Roman Forest police Sgt. Jeff Campbell told KHOU. “It’s an 80,000-pound vehicle coming at people or driving down the road with disregard to people’s safety.”

“He struck a couple of vehicles during the pursuit,” Campbell additionally said.

In addition to cops shooting out a few of the tires, the police official said that spike strips were also used to pop the tires.

He was arrested hours after the chase started. ABC 13

Lubowski was charged with evading and possession of a controlled substance.

A mugshot of Lubowski obtained by ABC 13 appears to show the suspected reckless driver nodding off with his eyes.

“I can’t remember in my life seeing this many police cars around any event at once,” witness Dan Wampler told the station.