FORT WORTH, TX – A man is in police custody following an alleged drunk driving incident that left two pedestrians injured after he attempted to evade a traffic stop on Saturday night. The suspect, 29-year-old Andrew Michael Guerra, is facing multiple charges after reportedly colliding with another vehicle and hitting two pedestrians in his attempt to escape law enforcement.
According to the Fort Worth Police, officers first noticed a gray pickup truck, driven by Guerra, with no headlights on, traveling in the wrong direction down a one-way street shortly after 10 p.m. The truck reportedly reversed hastily, nearly hitting a marked police car, before mounting a curb. Officers reported hearing the passenger in the truck pleading with Guerra to stop.
Given the suspect’s erratic driving behavior, officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop. However, Guerra accelerated away, driving recklessly through a parking lot. Observing his dangerous driving, officers speculated that Guerra might be under the influence of alcohol, posing a significant threat to public safety in the bustling entertainment district.
Despite striking several curbs and narrowly missing other vehicles, Guerra continued his reckless flight. At one point, he reportedly cut across oncoming traffic, drove over a curb into a bank parking lot, and hit a pole, causing significant damage to the front left wheel of his vehicle. Despite the damage, Guerra continued to speed away from the officers, heading back towards a densely populated area. His vehicle subsequently hit a pole, a stationary car, and two pedestrians – a man and a woman.
Guerra had to be removed from his vehicle by officers. Although suspected of being intoxicated, he declined to take a field sobriety test. The passenger in Guerra’s truck, who has been cooperative with the investigation, is also a victim of an unlawful restraint charge, as he claimed that Guerra prevented him from exiting the vehicle during the pursuit.
The two pedestrians hit during the incident were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Guerra is currently being held in the Tarrant County Jail on a $95,000 bond, facing charges of intoxication, assault with a vehicle, evading arrest with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury, and unlawful restraint.