A chase ended on the island with a heavy police presence and a bullet-riddled truck.
GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas — A heavy police presence was seen Wednesday morning along the Gulf Freeway where it turns into Broadway Avenue between 61st Street and 51st Street following a high-speed chase that ended in Galveston.
According to Harris County Precinct 8 Constable’s Office, the chase began near Gulf Freeway and Scarsdale, where deputies were investigating a driver as part of a street crimes unit. The Texas Department of Public Safety later confirmed the vehicle involved had been reported stolen.
As the driver — reportedly the sole occupant — fled southbound on the Gulf Freeway, authorities said shots were fired at deputies. It’s unclear exactly when during the pursuit those shots were fired.
The chase ended near 54th Street and the Causeway on Galveston Island, where the suspect was contained. Authorities said the suspect appears to be deceased.
Aerial images from the scene showed a white truck with bullet holes in the back windshield and what appeared to be a body on the median next to the truck. Dozens of police vehicles were seen blocking off Broadway Avenue, focusing their investigation on the bullet-ridden vehicle and the body nearby.
Air 11 was over the scene around 11 a.m., capturing images of the ongoing investigation.
Alternate routes for drivers
For inbound traffic to Galveston:
Option 1: Harborside Drive
- As you approach Galveston, take Harborside Drive (Exit 1C) instead of continuing onto Broadway Street.
- Follow Harborside eastbound to access downtown Galveston and the surrounding areas without using Broadway.
For local traffic within Galveston:
Option 2: Seawall Boulevard route
- From the west side of Galveston, use 61st Street south to reach Seawall Boulevard.
- Travel eastbound on Seawall Boulevard to bypass the Broadway congestion entirely.
- Access side streets northbound (e.g., 39th Street, 45th Street, or 51st Street) to reach your destination.
- Use east-west avenues such as Avenue N 1/2, Avenue M 1/2, or Avenue O to move parallel to Broadway and avoid stalled traffic.
We have a crew heading to the scene. Check back for more on this developing story.
Check the traffic map below: