Suspect involved in pursuit that injured deputy identified

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - A Smith County deputy was injured Tuesday while pursuing a suspect in Tyler.

A press release from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office read as follows:

On June 29, 2021, at approximately 3:00 pm, Smith County Investigators, while conducting surveillance in the area of the Pilot Truck Stop located at FM 14 and Interstate 20, observed a suspect known to have outstanding felony arrest warrants. Several members of the Smith County SWAT Team and Investigators with the Special Investigations Unit attempted to take the suspect, Ernesto Castellon, into custody. Castellon fled the location in his vehicle, striking a SWAT Team member and knocking him to the pavement.

Castellon fled south on FM 14 toward Tyler reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph. Castellon entered the Tyler city limits and continued south on Church Street with Smith County Deputies close behind. As Castellon approached the T-intersection of Pabst St. and Berta, a Smith County Deputy struck the rear of his vehicle. Castellon then lost control and ran off of the road into a grassy area. He was quickly taken into custody without anyone being injured. A subsequent inventory of the vehicle uncovered a large amount of illicit narcotics.

Castellon was transported to UT Health Tyler by Deputies for precautionary measures and was released. The Smith County SWAT Team member was in good condition and will be treated at a local emergency room.

In addition to the existing warrants, Investigators will obtain warrants for Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer (Felony 1), Evading Arrest with a Vehicle (Felony 3) and numerous Manufacturing/Delivery of Controlled Substance charges. The arrest affidavits will be presented to the Honorable 114th State District Judge Austin Reeve Jackson.

This arrest was a culmination of work by East Texas TAG personnel consisting of Investigators with Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS and Tyler PD.