AUSTIN, Texas — A man was arrested after leading police on a nearly 1-hour chase through downtown Austin and striking an officer and pedestrians with their dirt bike along the route last week.
On Friday, Oct. 10, at around 7:02 p.m., an Austin police officer observed Lorenzo Brant Lemaire, 21, performing a “wheelie” and running a red light at the intersection of East 2nd Street and Congress Avenue. When the officer attempted to stop him, Lemaire fled, leading police on a 50-minute pursuit through the city.
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During the chase, Lemaire struck a pedestrian on the sidewalk at Congress Avenue and 6th Street. The victim, who sustained injuries, reported that Lemaire did not stop to render aid. She expressed her intention to pursue criminal charges against him.
Lemaire continued his reckless ride, eventually striking an Austin police officer on Barton Springs Road. The officer, who was injured in the collision, reported that Lemaire accelerated his dirt bike despite commands to stop. Lemaire also collided with a pedi-cab driver, causing the driver back pain.
After these incidents, Lemaire was picked up by another dirt bike rider, later identified as his cousin, and fled to Barton Creek Square Mall. Police eventually detained Lemaire inside the mall’s Old Navy store.
Lemaire admitted to evading the initial police stop and acknowledged striking the officer, but did not admit to hitting any bystanders. He faces multiple charges, including assault on a peace officer, failure to stop and render aid, and evading arrest.