On Jan. 26 at 11:12 a.m., a motorist on I-565 notified Huntsville Police Department that a red Ford sports utility vehicle was driving recklessly.

The high-speed chase ended at the Sparkman Drive exit. (RECORD PHOTO: Andy Meyer)

“According to the complainant, the offender had pulled up beside him, pointed a gun at him and was all over the road,” Dr. Harry Hobbs, communications relations officer, said.

Huntsville police located the vehicle and attempted to perform a traffic stop when the offender Francisco Casique refused to stop and fled. “The offender turned off of I-565 onto Madison Boulevard, where he drove eastbound back to I-565. As the offender was nearing Old Madison Pike, he struck a Nissan Maxima (no injuries) and continued east on I-565,” Hobbs said.

As Casique approached the Bob Wallace Avenue overpass, police deployed Stop Sticks. After striking the Stop Sticks, Casique struck a gray Honda Accord and a minivan. Both drivers and Casique were transported to Crestwood Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Widespread debris from the crash led officers to close eastbound I-565.

After Casique is released from Crestwood, he will be charged with felony attempting to flee or elude, DUI and leaving the scene.