Jose S. Velazquez Cerda

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information ORIGINAL CDR Number: 26-704-UF Version Type: VERSION Report Date: 9/8/2026 9:58 AM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Texas Department Agency Name: Agency Address: PO BOX 4087 Of Public Safety Agency City: Austin Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 78773 Director Information Director Salutation: Director Director First Name: Freeman Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Martin Reporter Name: Melinda Grieves Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Jose Middle Name: S. Last Name: Velazquez Cerda Suffix: Date of Birth: 1/4/2003 Sex: Male Race: Hispanic or Latino Age At Time Of Death: 23 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 8/25/2026 11:01 Incident: PM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): 8/25/2026 11:40 Death Date and Time: PM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results Evaluation?: pending What was the manner of death? (select only one) Manner of Death: Accidental Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Pending autopsy report Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Not Applicable If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Decedent If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Not Applicable death?: Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Means of Death: Other, specify 36 foot fall from Means of Death Other: overpass Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Location / Custody Information Where did the event causing the death occur? IH-35 E exit ramp to Street Address: City: Dallas IH-30 County: Dallas Zip: 75207 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Roadway/highway/street/sidewalk What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Pre-Custodial Use Type of Custody: of Force Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Custody of Law Enforcement Personnel during/fleeing arrest What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Entry Date Time: Entry Date Time N/A: Where did the death occur? Death Location: Scene of incident Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Other Agencies Respond?: No What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle Offense 2: Offense 3: Not filed at time of Were the Charges:: death What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of Offense: Other, specify Type of Offense, Other: Class C Traffic Offense At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of No weapons: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Attempt to Injure Others?: No Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Unknown Make suicidal statements?: Unknown drugs): Exhibit any mental health Unknown Exhibit any medical problems?: Unknown problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No Yes standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No No including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On August 25, 2026, law enforcement officers observed a black Cadillac Escalade traveling westbound on Illinois Avenue in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, with an inoperative front headlight. The Escalade's driver changed lanes without activating a turn signal. An NCIC inquiry revealed the vehicle's registration had expired in 2024. Officers initiated a traffic stop. The Escalade stopped and a passenger exited. The Escalade fled the traffic stop. Officers initiated a pursuit. The vehicle continued westbound on Illinois Avenue before turning northbound onto IH-35. The driver continued to flee at a high rate of speed with the Escalade's headlights off. The Escalade subsequently exited onto IH-30 eastbound. While traveling on the exit ramp, the driver abruptly slowed in response to another vehicle traveling ahead. The driver lost control of the Escalade, causing it to crash into the side barrier of the overpass and spin around. Following the collision, the officers utilized their patrol vehicle to pin the Escalade against the barrier. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- After the vehicle was pinned, the driver exited and ran behind the Escalade. Officers repeatedly commanded the driver to show his hands. Due to the positioning of the vehicles and damage to the Escalade's hood, officers were able to maintain visual contact with the driver. Officers approached the Escalade believing the driver may have gone over the overpass. Officers then observed the driver on the ground below the overpass. Other officers located the driver and determined he had suffered severe head trauma. Emergency medical services responded. The driver was transported by EMS to a hospital where he was subsequently pronounced deceased. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7