4 in custody after Lubbock police chase ends with crash into middle school fence

LUBBOCK, Texas — The Lubbock Police Department said a 17-year-old and three juveniles were in custody in connection with an early Sunday morning pursuit that ended with a crash near 32nd Street and Avenue Q.

LPD said officers tried to stop a vehicle near the 2200 block of Avenue V around 1:40 a.m., but the driver kept doing. Police said the driver evaded officers, and police chased after the vehicle.

According to LPD, the car was heading east in the 1600 block of 32nd Street when it collided with an SUV driven by Azariah Hernandez, 21, in the 3200 block of Avenue Q. LPD said the car then crashed into a fence at a nearby middle school.

After the crash, LPD said Makayla Mermella, 17, and two juveniles, tried to run but were taken into custody with the help of a K-9 officer. A third juvenile stayed on scene and was also taken into custody, according to LPD.

Police said a female juvenile from inside the car had minor injuries and was treated on scene by EMS. No one from the SUV was hurt, according to LPD.

“LPD’s Major Crash Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate the pursuit and collision per department policy,” a press release stated.

Online jail records showed Mermella was taken to the Lubbock County Detention Center and charged with evading arrest/detention.

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