Driver struck officer during chase

WAXAHACHIE – John Kelly Forbes, 34, was convicted by a jury and sentenced to 30 years for aggravated assault of a police officer, according to Ellis County and District Attorney Ann Montgomery.

The same jury also sentenced Forbes to 15 years for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, 10 years for evading arrest with a vehicle, and 5 years for tampering with evidence, after Forbes pied guilty to those offenses.

“This dangerous felon put Ellis County citizens and police officers at risk when he drove recklessly, attempting to evade police officers from making a lawful traffic stop. We will hold those accountable who put our citizens and police officers at risk,” said Montgomery after sentencing.

On May 4, 2019, after refusing to pull over for several traffic violations, Forbes took Waxahachie police officers on a 20-minute chase that began in central Waxahachie through several residential neighborhoods, moved south onto Interstate 35 towards Foreston, and then back up Interstate 35 going northbound.

During the pursuit, Forbes ran several red lights and drove into the on-coming lane of traffic.

The chase only ended when Forbes struck Waxahachie Police Officer Andrew Gonzales, who was attempting to lay spike strips to stop the fleeing vehicle.

Gonzales testified during the trial he was on medical leave for approximately one month due to the injuries caused by Forbes.

The jury also learned Forbes, who had been placed on probation multiple times in Navarro County, was on felony probation for possession of a controlled substance and tampering with evidence at the time he assaulted Gonzales.

Assistant County and District Attorneys Jake Heffernan and Grace Pandithurai prosecuted the case, assisted by County and District Attorney Chief Investigator Bryan Norris, Investigator Joseph Aguilar, and Investigator Todd Woodruff.

The case was investigated by the Waxahachie Police Department.