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Hitchcock PD officer struck by suspect’s vehicle, shoots suspect after lengthy cross-county chase, police say

HOUSTON – A suspect was shot by a Hitchcock police officer after a lengthy chase from Galveston County to Houston’s Heights area early Sunday, authorities said.

Hitchcock PD Police Chief Wilmon Smith said an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Dodge Charger Hemi for reckless driving at Highway 6 near FM 2004 at around 1 a.m.

The driver, who HPD identified as Dannyhau Nguyen, 32, refused to comply. He then turned to FM 2004, and entered I-45 northbound toward Houston, traveling at a high rate of speed.

The responding officer then called for backup, with multiple agencies, including deputies from Harris County Constable Pct. 2 and Pct. 8 assisted in the pursuit.

Smith said there were multiple stops along the way, but Nguyen continued northbound in a reckless manner on I-45 near I-10.

Sometime later, as they approached I-10 near North Shepherd, one of the Hitchcock PD officers, Officer Sanford, was able to stop Nguyen in front of his vehicle.

That was when, Smith said, the suspect took off and allegedly struck Sanford with his vehicle. Sanford took out his gun and shot Nguyen in the arm. He was struck one time.

Smith said Nguyen attempted to flee once more but officers were able to take him into custody.

Both Nguyen and Officer Sanford were taken to area hospitals. Sanford suffered a hip and back injury and is expected to survive.

According to Hitchcock PD, Nguyen was wanted out of Harris County for aggravated assault-family violence with a deadly weapon.

Nguyen is facing charges for felony evading by the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, according to HPD.

The Houston Police Department Special Investigations Unit is the lead in the investigation.


About the Author

A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ana moved to H-Town from sunny southern California in 2015. In 2020, she joined the KPRC 2 digital team as an intern. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. In her spare time, she's an avid video gamer and loves to travel.

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