Grand Prairie – Today at approximately 9:00 AM, officers responded to a report of a possible intoxicated driver in the area of Northbound 161 service road near Arkansas Lane. Officers located the vehicle, a Dodge Ram truck, and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. A slow-speed pursuit ensued with the driver traveling North on the PGBT (Toll Road) and exiting at W. Marshal Drive. The driver temporarily stopped, then accelerated his vehicle intentionally ramming multiple police vehicles including two which were occupied. The
suspect, using his vehicle, drove one officer and her vehicle through the fence which protects the service road from President George Bush Turnpike. Fearing for the lives of the officers being rammed, backup officers fired their duty weapons at the driver striking him in the wrist.
After several minutes of negotiating with the driver, he surrendered and exited his vehicle at which time he was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
One officer was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No other officers were injured.
The driver has been identified as Terry Darnell, 58 years of age, of Arlington. Terry Darnell is currently being held on one count of Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant, a First Degree Felony, with additional charges under investigation.
Per departmental policy, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Officer-Involved Shooting Team responded to the scene and is conducting an independent investigation. The Grand Prairie Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards will be conducting a concurrent administrative investigation.
The officers have been placed on routine administrative leave
