Man leads police on chase, crashes into restaurant

RICHMOND, TX

Richmond police say officers responded to a disturbance in the parking lot of 140 Collins Road at around 10:15pm. Officers say they were advised that several Hispanic males were fighting and were trying to leave the area. Officers stopped a silver Lincoln Continental believed to be involved in the incident attempting to leave the area. Officers made contact with the vehicle which was occupied by two individuals.

After a brief conversation with the occupants of the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Jose Manual Diaz, drove away and police began pursuing the vehicle. Diaz drove the Continental westbound on Jackson Street crossing into Rosenberg. Diaz lost control of the vehicle at the intersection of Avenue H and Herndon and crashed into PapaMex Restaurant located at 1008 Herndon Drive.

Diaz exited the vehicle and again attempted to flee from police on foot. The passenger of the vehicle also exited, but was immediately detained after suffering injuries from the crash.

Diaz was apprehended when he was found hiding behind a nearby business a short time later. Both Diaz and his passenger were transported to Oak Bend Medical Center for treatment.

Diaz was released and transported to the Richmond Police Department were he was charged with evading in a motor vehicle causing serious bodily injury and failure to stop and give information. Diaz was also issued citations for driving without a license and failure to control speed.

The passenger of the vehicle was not charged with anything, but he did suffer a possible broken back and broken ribs as a result of the crash.

Diaz, 20, was transported to the Fort Bend County Jail for holding until bond is set by a judge.