Bixby Police Release Dash Cam Video Of October 2009 Chase

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

BIXBY, OK -- Last October in Bixby, officers say a suspect did not care how many people he put in danger when he did not pull over during a traffic stop.  The wild ride lasted 11 minutes, but it seems much longer when you watch the motorist driving the wrong way down busy streets and crashing into innocent people.

The News On 6 got the dash cam video through an open records request.

Officer: "White in color, Ford 150, no tag, Wal-Mart parking lot."

What started as a simple traffic stop for not having a proper tag around 8 a.m. on October 27th, turned into a police chase when the driver took off just as the officer was approaching the truck.

Officer: "Be advised, fled the scene, going North on Memorial, 111th, correction, southbound."

The driver of the truck had a passenger with him but that did not stop him from speeding through traffic on slick streets. He nearly lost control at one point but kept going and he crashed into two innocent drivers during their morning commute.

10/27/2009 Related story: Shots Fired During Bixby Police Chase Tuesday Morning 

Bixby Police say they cannot let people from run because they do not know what other crimes might have been committed.

"People don't understand what goes through officer's minds. We don't know why a person is running, if there's a weapon in the car, don't know if they just committed a crime somewhere, don't' know if the passenger is a kidnapped person, no idea," said Chief Ike Shirley, Bixby PD.

Officer: "He's now gonna go on the wrong way of travel. He's going on the wrong way of travel."

The chase wound from 111th and Memorial until it finally ended near 71st & Sheridan. When the man spun around on a curb, police thought it was over but he took off again.

"The individual tried to take off again. They tried to fire shots into the tires to get it stopped but it continued on," Shirley said.

Police officers finally arrested Damon Caldwell and learned he had a misdemeanor warrant in Tulsa County and expired driver's license.

The officer's frustration was clear.

Officer: "A misdemeanor warrant, are you kidding me? Was it worth it? In Bixby, we can't arrest you on a county warrant."

Caldwell was charged with running from police and leaving the scene of the two accidents.

The Tulsa County District Attorney's office cleared the officers in the pursuit and the shooting.

If you watch it, you will notice most people do a good job of getting out of the way of the police car but others do not pull over or pull in front of the officer or slam on their brakes.

Remember, if any emergency vehicle is running hot near you, you must pull to the right and stop.