UPDATE
The Jarrell Police Department released more details on what led up to an officer shooting a suspect following a chase, which shut down I-35 for hours Sunday.
Police tried to stop a 20-year-old man around 7:30 p.m. Sunday near Ronald Reagan Boulevard and northbound I-35 in Jarrell.
The man continued to drive, eventually stopping on I-35. Police asked the driver for identification, and said he took off again with officers in pursuit.
"During the pursuit, speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour. The suspect vehicle was observed driving erratically, failing to maintain a single lane of travel on multiple occasions, and creating a significant danger to the public," reads a release from the department.
Police said the driver continued through an active construction zone, hitting traffic cones and "weaving through barricades while construction workers were present."
"The suspect vehicle narrowly avoided striking multiple construction workers, creating a substantial risk of serious injury," the release reads. "Due to the immediate and ongoing threat to public safety, Jarrell officers executed a tactical vehicle maneuver in an attempt to bring the pursuit to an end."
Police say they observed the driver reaching to the floorboard repeatedly, and told him to stop and put his hands up. A Jarrell Police Officer then shot and hit the driver in the upper right torso.
The driver is recovering at a local hospital. Police say they found drug paraphernalia, an alcoholic beverage, a vape pen that tested positive for THC, a baggie containing a substance believed to be marijuana, and a semi-automatic pistol on the driver's side floorboard.
The officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the Texas Ranger's investigation.
UPDATE
The Jarrell Police Department confirmed an officer shot a suspect after a vehicle chase ended in Bell County on I-35. As a result, the interstate was shut down for hours near Exit 306.
The driver of the vehicle involved in the chase was transported to a local hospital. The department says no officers were injured.
Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting.
As of this update, all northbound lanes of Interstate 35 are being diverted onto the frontage road at Exit 305.
ORIGINAL STORY
All northbound lanes of Interstate 35 are closed at exit 306 due to an undisclosed incident, with traffic being diverted to exit 305.
The Bell County Sheriff's Office said the Texas Rangers are investigating there.
The Temple Police Department is assisting the Jarrell Police Department with the incident on I-35 at the northbound 306 exit. Officials expect the closure to last several hours.
Drivers are advised to use alternate routes when traveling through this area to avoid delays.
