District Attorney’s press release
On Friday afternoon, Colby Wilcotts, 25, formerly of Gun Barrel City, finally ran out of road. He was sentenced for causing a dangerous police chase that involved four law enforcement agencies through Henderson and Kaufman counties. Wilcotts received an eight-year sentence for Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle.
Justin Weiner and Nancy Rumar prosecuted the case on behalf of Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s Office. The sentence was executed in the 173rd Judicial District Court with Judge Dan Moore presiding.
The incident started shortly after midnight on April 15 of this year. Henderson County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenny Collard observed Wilcotts driving a vehicle that committed numerous traffic offenses and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to pull over and accelerated rapidly while turning onto State Highway 334 heading east. Wilcotts ultimately would reach speeds of 90 and 100 mph often doubling the speed limit in attempt to get away. At one point while crossing over State Highway 198, Wilcotts maintained the excessive speeds failing to even slow down while running through a red light.
During the chase, Wilcotts slowed down enough that a passenger was able to jump out of his moving vehicle. After the passenger exited the vehicle, he continued to drive at speeds over 100 mph on State Highway 198 leading law enforcement agencies in pursuit out of Henderson County and into Kaufman County. Wilcotts continued down Kaufman County Road 4004.
Eventually, the tires on Wilcotts’ vehicle failed, but he continued to drive on the rims of the car at dangerous speeds. Sparks were shot from both sides of the vehicle as Wilcotts continued to try and drive the disabled vehicle. Eventually, the vehicle was unable to steer and Wilcotts jumped out and submitted to law enforcement officials. Wilcotts was arrested and taken to the Henderson County Jail.
Wilcotts indicated that he was trying to get away because he knew there was a warrant for his arrest. He was on parole for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver out of Lubbock County. Wilcotts also had an active warrant out of Kaufman County for a Burglary of a Building Charge.
After the plea Weiner stated: “[W]e should all be proud of the relentless efforts of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, the Gun Barrel Police Department, and the Mabank Police Department. They were able to vigorously yet safely pursue Wilcotts who showed an absolute disregard for public safety. Their efforts helped safeguard Henderson and Kaufman County citizens from what could have been an even more dangerous situation.”