Jacksonville PD finds driver dead after auto, foot pursuits

by From the office of Jacksonville Police Chief Joe Williams

On April 22, 2020 at about 1:25 A.M., a Jacksonville police officer attempted to make a traffic stop in the 600 block of Rusk Street. The driver failed to stop, and a short pursuit ensued. The vehicle came to a stop in the 200 block of Tilley Street and the driver fled on foot into a wooded area. The officer requested assistance from other officers and began setting up a perimeter. When other officers arrived on scene, they searched for the driver.
After a short search, they located the driver lying in a small creek and unresponsive. Officers removed the male from the creek and performed CPR while waiting for paramedics to arrive. The male was transported to UT Health in Jacksonville where he was pronounced deceased.

Justice of the Peace Wallace has ordered an autopsy.

The driver was identified as Zavar Rashad Jones, 29 years of age, from Jacksonville.

No Jacksonville police officers used any type of force during this encounter. The Texas Rangers are assisting in the investigation.