Trial begins in deadly police chase

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Opening statements began Tuesday in the trial for a man accused of leading police on a deadly high-speed chase mid-June 2012.

Reynaldo Hernandez allegedly stole a truck from the Barton Creek Square Mall at the same time that Austin police just so happened to be conducting a car-theft sting at the mall. They said they began chasing Hernandez, as well as the driver of a white Lincoln Navigator.

A chase of the two cars raced down Loop 360, reaching speeds of more than 95 mph.

Police said Hernandez ran a red light at Ben White Boulevard, where he slammed into another car and killed 32-year-old driver James Williford.

Hernandez allegedly took off into a Dollar General store, where police said he tried to take off his purple dress shirt at the back of the store.

After Austin police ordered him to stop, Hernandez allegedly ran out of an emergency exit at the back of the store and ran across a field before jumping a fence and running between two houses.

Police took him into custody in a Pack Saddle Pass neighborhood.

Hernandez is charged with murder and various other charges.