Warrant Out For Man Who Nearly Crashed Into an Officer Head-On

A warrant has been issued for Ryan Vernon Johnson, a man police said rear-ended a parked vehicle at a red light, fled down several neighborhood streets and almost drove head-on into an Austin patrol car last week in East Austin.

According to the Austin Police Department, a car was rear-ended at a red light on South Pleasant Valley Road while the car was stopped. The driver told police that Johnson backed up and tried to drive around the the vehicle, which had pregnant woman inside. Before hitting the car again, the man was able to drive away. The victim followed Johnson, flashing his lights and honking his horn in an attempt to get his attention. The victim stopped when he saw a patrol car begin to pursue Johnson on Parker Lane.

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The officer in the patrol car said that the vehicle had no headlights and had collision damage to the front of the car. Johnson was driving in the correct lane when he swiftly swerved into the officer’s lane, according to police. The officer was forced to turn out of the way of the car to avoid a head-on collision. The officer then turned his emergency lights on to stop the vehicle on Woodland Avenue, but Johnson increased his speed and drove straight through a stop sign, according to police.

Johnson reached 50 mph and drove erratically, leading the officer through several streets. He then ran through the red light at Douglas and Oltorf Street, cutting through a convenience store parking lot. The man sped north northbound down Willow Street in the opposite lane, forcing the officer to stop pursuing him and stop at a parking lot on Riverside Drive, according to police. The officer was then flagged down by the driver who was struck by Johnson.

As police began to investigate, they found a mugshot and identified Johnson as the driver of a silver Pontiac with Texas license plate FBF4766. Johnson now faces charges for evading arrest and failing to stop and render aid.

[Photo: ADP]