Law enforcement pull man out of 18-wheeler following chase, standoff on East Freeway

HOUSTON – Law enforcement pulled a suspect from an 18-wheeler following a chase and standoff on the East Freeway Wednesday.

According to HCSO, the chase started in the 13900 block of the East Freeway at around 12:42 p.m.

The chase reportedly stemmed from a traffic stop.

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Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a deputy spotted the 18-wheeler which appeared to be parked in one of the main lanes of the highway. The deputy didn’t know what exactly was happening so he turned on his overhead lights. At that time, the driver began going forward at a low rate of speed. The driver also began doing what the sheriff called evasive action, changing lanes multiple times and swerving.

Authorities were able to spike the tires of the 18-wheeler. The truck eventually came to a stop near Sheldon Road.

The 18-wheeler involved appears to be registered to Design Transportation Services Inc. out of Dallas.

A representative with the company said they had no comment at this time.

Around 4 p.m., deputies could be seen pulling the suspect out of the 18-wheeler.

Gonzalez said SWAT team members physically removed the man from the big rig.

“They tried numerous things, deploying gas, deploying less-lethal, verbal commands, gave him every option to come and he remained resistant the entire time, did not answer any commands or anything like that so at some point they had to physically position themselves as safely as possible to extract him out,” he said.

Gonzalez said they are still not sure why the man was acting in the erratic manner that he was, but he appeared to have some impairment.

“He appeared to be behind the wheel just appearing to be like in a glaze, just revving the truck like if he was driving,” Gonzalez said.

The sheriff said there was nothing in the back of the 18-wheeler.

“They are going to pull the truck off so they can inspect it further but there is nothing inside the container itself,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said this was an especially challenging scene.

“Especially because he continued to resist even with the deployment of gas, most people with that, it’s really pretty toxic, they are going to come out pretty quickly and it didn’t seem to phase him,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said he was glad the driver didn’t take off again in the 18-wheeler.

“I am glad we were able to intervene because if he would have remained on the roadway, other people could have been at serious risk,” he said.

Gonzalez identified the driver as Trinidad Cutshall, 42. He will be charged with felony evading.

Gonzalez said Cutshall is receiving treatment for some facial lacerations.