PRESS RELEASE — At approximately 2 p.m., on Wednesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers received radio communication that the driver of a 2006 Honda passenger vehicle failed to stop for law enforcement in Louisiana and was traveling westbound on Interstate 10 into Texas.  DPS Troopers observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and activated emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop; however, the driver did not stop.

Preliminary reports indicate that the driver of a 2006 Honda was traveling westbound on Interstate 10 after fleeing from law enforcement in Louisiana.  The vehicle crossed the state line into Texas where a DPS Trooper observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.

Due to the driver’s speed, the Trooper activated emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop and continued westbound on Interstate 10 through Orange County.

As the driver entered Jefferson County, he stopped his vehicle near the MLK exit and was apprehended by DPS Troopers.

The driver, 38-year-old Viren Panchel of Beaumont, was arrested without further incident.

Panchel will be booked into the Jefferson County Jail on several charges, including speeding and evading arrest.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) was assisted by the Beaumont Police Department.