Man arrested after wrong-way chase through Amarillo

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — A man was arrested after leading police on a chase while traveling the wrong way down several roads on Wednesday morning, Amarillo police said.

The incident began at about 3:21 a.m. when an officer saw a grey Jeep driving around 1100 N. Taylor without headlights and circling the area and in the alley.

The officer tried to stop the Jeep due to the suspicious behavior and the driver took off.

Police chased the Jeep through downtown until it was seen going on the I-40 access road in the wrong direction.

The vehicle was later found again near Tee Anchor and the driver headed back downtown and then entered I-27/I-40 driving the wrong way on the interstate. Officers did not pursue.

While officers attempted to stop the Jeep, the driver purposefully drove into oncoming traffic on city streets and tried to ram one officer head-on and tried to hit other cars and officers as they drove in the area.

Due to the reckless and dangerous driving, the Jeep's license plate was sent to all officers to be aware of and entered into the license plate reader system.

Proactive Criminal Enforcement Unit (PACE) officers and SWAT officers were searching for the vehicle and driver to try and prevent further danger to the community.

At about 10:45 a.m., SWAT officers found the vehicle near SW 3rd and McMasters. They attempted to use their vehicles to contain the Jeep but were unsuccessful.

The driver went down Amarillo Boulevard while traveling east in the westbound lanes. Officers did not pursue.

The driver then drove off the road and to the railroad tracks, where they stopped, and all three occupants tried to flee.

One stopped for the officer's commands, the driver was caught by officers and the third came back to the scene on their own.

The Jeep's driver was identified as Christopher Joseph Rodriguez, 29. He was booked into the Potter County Jail for aggravated assault against a public servant, three counts of evading arrest with a vehicle and one local warrant.

The case is ongoing is being assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit.