North Texas police officer in critical condition after crash following chase, department says

A North Texas police officer is in the hospital after the Roanoke Police Department said he crashed while chasing a fleeing motorcyclist early Sunday morning in Northlake.

The department said officers were handling traffic enforcement along State Highway 114, responding to several complaints about speeding motorcyclists near an event at the Texas Motor Speedway. Roanoke police said the officer, Corporal Kevin Buchanan, who was on a police motorcycle, tried to stop a motorcyclist who allegedly sped away from him. However, the department said both Buchanan and the fleeing motorcyclist crashed into another vehicle on the state highway, just west of I-35W.

Roanoke police said Buchanan was taken to a hospital and is currently listed as in critical condition. The suspect, later identified as  26-year-old Deontae Keshawn Myers, is in custody and is also being treated at a nearby hospital.

The Northlake Police Department provided more context in its own press release, stating that both motorcycles struck a 2023 Ford Transit Van. The motorcyclist who was being pursued is from Lawton, Okla., per the department.

Northlake police said the roadway was shut down until 6 a.m. so investigators could diagram the scene, and that it would continue its investigation and pursue appropriate charges.

The department said Myers will face the following charges once he's released from the hospital and taken to jail:

• Evading arrest with a vehicle, causing serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony
• Reckless driving, a class B misdemeanor

Roanoke police requested prayers and thoughts for the officer, his family and the department. In a follow-up Facebook post, the department shared how community members could support the officer's family.

Roanoke Police Chief Jeff Williams spoke during a news conference Monday afternoon, identifying the officer as Buchanan. Williams noted Buchanan has been a police officer for 11 years, the last 3 with Roanoke police. He's also been a certified motorcycle officer since 2018.

Williams said Buchanan and several officers were handling traffic enforcement along Highway 114 near the speedway as the motorcycle event went on. Williams noted his department did not have much advance notice about the event, saying they only knew about it the night it was happening.

According to Williams, Myers, the suspect identified by Northlake Police, ran a red light as the chase began, hitting the Ford Transit van. Buchanan then hit the van shortly after. The van's driver and passengers were not injured.

Buchanan underwent surgery to address multiple broken bones and internal bleeding on Sunday, Roanoke police said. The surgery went as expected; however, he remains in critical condition. 

As of Monday, Williams said Buchanan is still in critical condition and heavily sedated, but appears to be improving.