SOUTH MOUNTAIN, Texas — A man has been arrested in Coryell County after allegedly leading deputies on a short chase after passing a school bus, stated the Coryell County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).
According to the Sheriff's Office, a patrol deputy saw a 2010 Mercury pass a school bus with its stop arms displayed around 6:35 a.m. on Monday, April 29 in South Mountain. The bus was actively loading children onto the bus at the time, said the Sheriff's Office.
The deputy reportedly tried to stop the Mercury in the area of U.S. Highway 84 and Greenbriar Road, but the driver allegedly tried to evade the deputy at speeds over 110 mph, according to the Sheriff's Office.
CCSO said the pursuit ended 10 minutes later when the Mercury ran out of gas.
During the investigation, CCSO said they identified the driver as 45-year-old Scott Dean Ross of Gatesville and determined that the Mercury was reported stolen a few days before on April 26.
While speaking with a Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper, Ross allegedly admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine, said CCSO.
The Sheriff's Office said Ross was taken to the Coryell County Jail and charged with theft over $2,500/under $30,000 (a third-degree felony), evading in a motor vehicle (a state jail felony), driving while intoxicated (a Class A misdemeanor), passing a school bus (a Class C misdemeanor) and displaying wrong license plate (a Class C misdemeanor).
The Coryell County Sheriff's Office said deputies have placed an increased emphasis on watching and following school buses to "ensure drivers are yielding and stopping".
“We have zero tolerance for violators who ignore the law and put our children’s lives at risk,” Coryell County Sheriff Scott A. Williams said. “We will be enforcing this vigorously.”
More from 6 News: