News 8
Chase suspect crashes in Garland officer's backyard 
01:05 PM CST on Monday, November 2, 2009
GARLAND — A Garland police officer is trying to pick up the pieces after a high-speed chase ended in his backyard.
The Dallas County Sheriff's Department said a man initially wanted for speeding will now also face charges of evading arrest after a 60-second pursuit ended with a big crash shortly before 4 a.m. Monday.
By daylight, it looks like the aftermath of a tornado in Officer James Reed's backyard.
"There's a lot of damage, a lot of damage," he said. "I'm trying to find out what we can do, how we can do it. Trying to get all this stuff repaired."
Here's what happened:
Lonnie Wilson, 39, was pulled over for speeding by a Dallas County Sheriff's Department. But before the deputy could complete the arrest, Wilson zoomed away at high speed.
His getaway didn't last long. He crashed through the backyard fence of home owned by Officer Reed.
"Fortunately, we're on the opposite end of the house over there, but it was still loud enough to wake us up," Reed said.
He looked outside to find a white four-door sedan perched atop the fence that surrounds a backyard pool.
Veteran Deputy Kevin Holley was injured while trying to climb through the debris to get to the suspect, who was also hurt in the crash.
"It was rather intense," Reed said. "I was a little concerned with him being injured also, but my main thought was on that sheriff's department officer and make sure he was okay."
Holley needed some stitches, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Wilson was hospitalized with minor injuries. He is charged with speeding and evading arrest.
Investigators said Wilson has a prior record with 52 offenses, including outstanding warrants for writing bad checks as far back as 1998.
Reed took the day off from his job as a school resource officer to assess the damage, including a 30-foot section of wooden fence that had just been installed last spring.
"We're going to start calling people as far as who can help us with the fence, the shrubbery," he said. "The pool area is destroyed back there, so I'm trying to make phone calls."
E-mail cvega@wfaa.com
