Suspect chase ends with deadly crash

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Two burglary suspects crashed while speeding away from police early Friday morning, killing one of the men in the car.

The pursuit began at 11:37 p.m. when a woman called 911 from a home on Razil Court in South Austin to report men trying to break into her family's home.

Officers responding spotted a silver Buick fitting the suspect description leaving the neighborhood at a high rate of speed, and running a red light at Manchaca Road and Old Manchaca Road.

When the officer caught up to the car after losing sight of it for about 20 seconds, the suspects had crashed into a tree along Riddle Road.

One man died in the car.  Police have not yet released his identity.

Another got out and ran away.  Police found him when someone called 911 to report a suspicious man without a shirt hiding between houses on Gail Road.  He was taken to a hospital to treat minor injuries.

"We rely on the community all the time to call 911 and help us out. They are the eyes and ears," said Austin Police Cpl. Anthony Hipolito. "Whoever called did a wonderful job - gave a good description and stayed on the phone with 911 until the officers were able to get there pretty quick. Gave a good description of the house that he was hiding by and they were apprehended without incident."

Hipolito said there is no patrol car dash camera video of the crash because the officer was too far behind.  And they have not found any witnesses who saw the crash. Vehicular homicide detectives are investigating that part of the crime scene.

Meanwhile, burglary detectives interviewed the family in the home of the break-in, and were planning to question the suspect taken to the hospital.

Investigators are also looking into the possibility that there may be more suspects.  They were not sure how many people were trying to break into the home, or how many people were in the Buick.  Officers did not find any weapons in the car.