Texas Police Chase Ends in Crash After Dodge Challenger Hood Flies Open

A Dodge Challenger driver attempting to flee Texas Department of Public Safety troopers on May 9 faced an unusual setback when the hood of his car blew open mid-pursuit, blocking his vision.

Authorities said the driver, identified as Humberto Misael Garcia of Laredo, reached speeds of 100 mph as he weaved through neighborhoods after leaving Interstate 35. The chase turned chaotic when Garcia struck a wall during a turn, causing the car’s hood to flip upward and obscure his view of the road.

Outdated Ride? These Amazon Finds Make It Feel Like 2025

Despite the obstruction, Garcia continued driving several miles with the hood up. Moments later, he ignored a red light and collided with another vehicle. According to DPS, he then abandoned the Challenger and attempted to flee on foot before troopers used a Taser to take him into custody.

Inside the car, troopers found four undocumented migrants. They were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol. Garcia now faces multiple charges, including smuggling of persons, evading arrest, reckless driving, and failure to stop and render aid.

Dashcam video released by authorities shows the Challenger accelerating away from pursuing officers, only to falter after the crash left the hood flapping. What began as a routine pursuit quickly turned into a bizarre scene of a driver navigating blind before ultimately being forced off the road.

While no serious injuries were reported in the crashes, officials underscored the dangers posed by high-speed pursuits and reckless driving. The incident highlights how quickly attempted getaways can go wrong, particularly when mechanical failure—or in this case, the hood—literally blocks the way forward.