Man succumbs to injuries after leading authorities on low speed chase

A man who led law enforcement officials on a chase along Farm to Market and Swede Mountain roads late Tuesday night died of apparent self-inflicted wounds at the hospital March 11.

The chase began about 10 p.m. after Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a family fight at an undisclosed location. In a press release issued March 10, officials said law enforcement personnel were told one individual was intoxicated, out-of-control and crashing into other vehicles as he attempted to leave the residence.

Authorities caught up with the man, behind the wheel of a truck, traveling east on Farm to Market Road at slow speeds. Officials said the driver ignored sirens and emergency lights.

As he turned onto Swede Mountain Road, authorities tried issuing orders via a public announcement system. When that failed, they used stop sticks, according to the press release.

The vehicle eventually slowed to a crawl and then came to a stop. Approaching sheriff’s deputies found the driver unconscious behind the wheel, suffering an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said.

Authorities loaded the injured man into a patrol vehicle and later transferred him onto a responding Libby Volunteer Ambulance. He was taken to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries, officials said.

Authorities did not release the man’s name. No other details were immediately available.