BRYAN MAN DIES AFTER 7-HOUR POLICE CHASE

Suspect's Body Pulled From 47-Degree Pond

BRYAN, Texas - A Bryan man who led police on a chase for more than
seven hours died after jumping into a stock tank Wednesday.

Police said John Lee Reece Jr.'s last words as he entered the
47-degree pond at the end of the chase were, "Come in and get me."

"He goes under water and doesn't come up," Grimes County Sheriff Don
Sowell told the Bryan-College Station Eagle . "We see air bubbles, and
he doesn't come up."

The chase began early Wednesday morning when a Grimes County sheriff's
deputy pulled over a car on a traffic stop on Texas 30, less than a
mile west of Texas 90, in Roans Prairie.

Another deputy pulled up to the scene and saw one of the suspects
trying to hide something in the vehicle, Sgt. Johnny Martinez said.
Mr. Reece, the driver, ran away while officers were searching the
passenger, Willie Jackson IV.

Police said Mr. Reece had a warrant out for a parole
violation.

At least 15 officers from the Grimes County Sheriff's Department, the
Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Corrections chased
Mr. Reece. Two search dogs were hit by drivers and died.

Mr. Reece ran almost 11 miles to Carlos, stopping once at a house to
make a phone call to a friend in Bryan, asking for someone to pick him
up.

Several officers chased Mr. Reece through a wooded area. When he got
to the pond, Sgt. Martinez said, "He turned around and looked at the
officers, and jumped in."

Deputies and a game warden searched the water for Mr. Reece and found
his body about an hour and a half later.

Mr. Jackson was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a
second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison and
fines of up to $10,000. He was being held in the Grimes County Jail,
but no bond had been set Wednesday night.

Police said a small amount of crack cocaine was found in the car.