HOUSTON, TEXAS — A military-style tractor-trailer with no license plates led deputies on a more than hour-long pursuit late Sunday after fleeing the scene of an injury hit-and-run, striking multiple vehicles and attempting to ram law enforcement units before stopping on the Eastex Freeway and ending in a SWAT standoff.

The incident began just before 10:00 p.m. on January 4, when an off-duty Precinct 4 constable deputy witnessed a hit-and-run crash with injuries and reported it. Deputies located the suspect vehicle within minutes and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over, triggering a pursuit that continued for more than an hour across several major roadways and neighborhoods.

As the tractor-trailer moved through Harris County and Houston, deputies deployed spike strips multiple times in an effort to stop it. Near Beltway 8 and Garrett Road, the truck briefly stopped, and a deputy fired one round, but authorities said the driver continued. The pursuit traveled into east Houston, reaching Interstate 10 near Waco Street, then turned north and looped back toward the Eastex Freeway.

Department of Public Safety troopers joined as the pursuit crossed multiple jurisdictions. Authorities said troopers also fired rounds in an attempt to disable the vehicle, but those efforts were unsuccessful, and the tractor-trailer continued moving through traffic despite visible damage.

Investigators estimate the suspect struck at least ten vehicles before the pursuit even began. During the chase, deputies said the driver attempted to ram several law enforcement vehicles, and those actions are expected to be a central part of the criminal case.

The tractor-trailer eventually came to a stop just south of Little York on the main lanes of U.S. 59 North. Once stopped, deputies attempted verbal contact but did not get cooperation. A SWAT response followed, and authorities said gas was deployed, leading to the driver surrendering and being taken into custody without injuries.

Authorities identified the driver as Omar Moreno, a 53-year-old Hispanic male, born November 6, 1972. Investigators said Moreno is charged with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of evading arrest. No weapon was found, and authorities said the suspect did not fire a gun during the pursuit.

No deputies or civilians were reported hurt. Multiple agencies assisted during the pursuit and response, including DPS, the Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 7, the Houston Police Department, and Houston Fire.

Investigators are still working to determine where the tractor-trailer came from, why it had no license plates, and what led up to the original hit-and-run. The investigation remains ongoing.

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