Crash yields 1,116 pounds of marijuana
By ASHLEY RICHARDS, LAREDO MORNING TIMES
03/25/2008

The driver who allegedly caused a three-vehicle wreck near Loring Avenue and Lyon Street Sunday night fled the scene but the Laredo Police Department's pursuit of the man yielded a marijuana bust totaling 1,116 pounds.At approximately 7:40 p.m. an LPD officer dispatched a report of a Chevrolet Tahoe speeding, said department spokesman Jose E. Baeza. When the officer caught up with the Tahoe the male driver had already collided with a vehicle traveling westbound on Lyon Street, Baeza said.

"The officer got there immediately but the guy started jumping fences," Baeza said, adding that they staked out a search perimeter for two hours, but failed to locate the driver.

He was later identified through vehicle records on the Tahoe, Baeza said. From that, officers continued pursuit of the man and later in the evening arrived at a residence in the 300 block of West Elm Street to search for him, Baeza said. Instead, a 15-year-old girl answered the door.

"Apparently she was acting suspicious and nervous," Baeza said, adding that officers also heard noise at the back of the home, which they believed was the driver.

When officers entered the house searching for the driver, Baeza said, the load of more than a half-ton of marijuana was discovered.

No arrests have been made in the case yet but police continue to search for the driver.

Laredo Fire Department Spokesman Eloy Vega said the wreck involved the Tahoe, a Kia Sedona and a Cadillac Escalade. Two juveniles endured minor injuries from the incident, Vega said, including leg pain, and one suffered a cut to the arm.

Both patients were transported to Laredo Medical Center to check for more serious injuries.

If anyone has information about the driver who fled the scene they are asked to call LPD at 795-2800.

(Ashley Richards may be reached at 728-2538 or by e-mail at ashley@lmtonline.com)

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