Man Accused in 27-Mile Houston Truck Chase Ruled Incompetent

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A 53-year-old Houston man accused of leading police on a destructive 27-mile chase through Houston and Harris County while driving a military transport truck has been ruled incompetent to stand trial. Omar Moreno will instead be sent to a state hospital for mental health treatment.

Why it matters

The case highlights the challenges of the criminal justice system in dealing with individuals who may have mental health issues. It also raises questions about how law enforcement responds to dangerous situations involving suspects who may not be mentally fit to stand trial.

The details

Moreno was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault against a public servant and evading arrest after the January 3rd incident. During the chase, he allegedly rammed deputies' cars, drove on the wrong side of the road, and ran multiple red lights before being stopped when deputies used spike strips. No injuries were reported, but 10 other vehicles were damaged. Prosecutors and Moreno's defense attorney agreed he was incompetent to stand trial, though the specific reasons are unclear.

• The chase started around 9:45 p.m. on January 3rd.
• The chase lasted for 65 minutes.
• Moreno surrendered to police around 1:20 a.m.

What’s next

It's unclear when Moreno will be transferred to Vernon State Hospital, as the wait list for a state hospital bed included more than 1,700 people as of last year. Moreno could still stand trial if he is restored to competency.