A routine traffic stop in Dallas on May 30 led to chaos when a handcuffed suspect allegedly stole a police cruiser with an officer still inside. This event unfolded around 5:35 p.m. on South Marsalis Avenue, involving the suspect Stacey Huffman, 37 years old.
According to body camera and dash camera footage, Huffman managed to slip his left hand from the handcuffs while seated in the back of the patrol car. He attempted to disguise his hands by placing them behind his back. The officers initially apprehended Huffman for transport to jail, yet during the journey, he sought to open the locked rear door of the vehicle.
The officers halted on Interstate 35 around 6:10 p.m. to further secure him. However, Huffman allegedly moved to the driver’s seat as the officers were outside the car. Despite an officer entering the back seat and attempting to use a Taser, it proved ineffective, as Huffman removed the wires.
The officer yelled repeatedly for Huffman to stop the car while he allegedly continued to accelerate. Ultimately, the officer drew his duty weapon, striking Huffman in the head, after which Huffman opened the driver’s door and leapt from the moving vehicle at approximately 50 mph.
The patrol car, controlled by Huffman for about 30 seconds, traveled nearly 1,000 feet before the officer regained command after lunging into the front seat. Huffman, rendered unconscious, was quickly recaptured and transported to a hospital alongside the officer for medical care.
Authorities intend to charge Huffman with several offenses. These include driving while license invalid, possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm, and escape from custody. The investigation into the incident continues.