February 1, 2017 - A short high speed chase between Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and a pickup truck ended abruptly when the truck collided with the wall surrounding SoSo Park in Timpson sometime before 7:45pm on January 31, 2017.
According to Texas DPS State Trooper Taylor Buster, a black 2002 single cab Dodge RAM 1500 driven by Tony Joshua Parker, 35, of Center was northbound on Timpson Street in Timpson attempting to evade State Troopers.
When Parker approached So So Park, he misjudged the entrance and struck a rock retaining wall surrounding the park. After the vehicle came to a stop in a ditch, Parker exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Troopers were able to catch up to Parker and detain him.
Parker was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department by Timpson Volunteer Ambulance Service for treatment of possible injuries.
The Timpson Volunteer Fire Department and Timpson Police Department assisted at the scene, and helped search the roadway for anything which may have been thrown from the vehicle during the chase.
Once released from the hospital, Parker was arrested by Texas DPS State Trooper Dustin Ramos at 11:18pm and charged with hindering prosecution/apprehension of a felon, felony 3; violation of parole - delivery of a controlled substance, felony 2; unsafe speed, misdemeanor c; fail to maintain financial responsibility, misdemeanor c.
The wall was built as part of the federally funded Works Projects Administration (WPA) program, which helped employ millions of people during the 30s and early 40s.
