APD defends chase policy after tragedy

KXAN (AUSTIN) - Three days after an innocent bystander was killed following a high-speed police chase , Austin Police Department defended their pursuit policy.

Assistant Chief Sean Mannix said a more extensive review of the chase is under way, however from looking at dashcam video, it appeared officers followed proper procedure.

“From what I can see at this point, there is nothing that makes me believe the procedure wasn’t followed,” said Mannix.

An arrest affidavit says an officer patrol car reached speeds of 96 miles per hour during the pursuit of Reynaldo Hernandez Jr., who was the suspect in a truck theft.

The chase began near Barton Creek Square mall, and ended with a deadly collision at the intersection of State Highway 71 and Packsaddle Pass. The entire pursuit lasted less than 90 seconds, according to Mannix.

According to officers and witnesses, James David Williford was killed in the accident when Hernandez ran through a red light and crashed into the car Williford was driving. Mannix says it was one of two red lights Hernandez ran through during the pursuit.

Despite the possibility of tragedy, Mannix defended the department’s pursuit policy.

“I don’t think the citizens of Austin want a ‘no pursuit’ policy,” said Mannix.

Under the APD policy, officers are given the discretion to chase based on the totality of circumstances.

In this case, Mannix believes the two officers who pursued Hernandez were doing their jobs.

“They would not have been doing their job had they turned a blind eye and let a felon drive up the street," he said.

Mannix did say he thinks the officers were just seconds away from ending the pursuit on their own due to the speeds and distance between the vehicles.