A Longview man died Monday after he led officers on a chase and crashed into First Baptist Church of Hallsville, the Harrison County Sheriff's Office said.
Jason Thomas Hart, 29, was identified as the driver.
Around 10:47 p.m. Monday, the sheriff's office received a call about a suspicious vehicle driving through the Mason Creek Mobile Home Park on FM 968 on the Harrison County side of Longview.
"The caller advised that she lived in the park and had observed a dark-colored sedan cutting circles in fronts of yards and nearly hitting multiple residences," officials said in a news release.
Deputies spotted a vehicle matching that description about five minutes later. The car failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of FM 968 and FM 450.
A deputy initiated a traffic stop north of Interstate 20 as Hart continued north on FM 450. His driving was erratic, reaching speeds of 114 mph as he drove northbound into Hallsville, officials said.聽
Hart used both lanes of travel as he approached the intersection of FM 450 and U.S. 80 while speeding, officials said.
"As the vehicle approached the railroad crossing, the vehicle went airborne before landing near the main intersection (FM 450 and U.S. 80) and continuing north," officials said. "As the vehicle continued north, the driver lost control of the vehicle, leaving the roadway on the west side of FM 450 before striking the wall and awning of the First Baptist Church of Hallsville."
The car came to a rest in the west ditch in front of the church's activity building, officials said.
Deputies on scene went to provide medical care to Hart and found "he had visible injuries that were not compatible with life," the sheriff's office said.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash.
