Operation Lone Star's High-Speed Chases Result in Over 70 Deaths

Human Rights Watch report reveals majority of pursuits initiated over traffic violations, raising questions about the operation's risk versus reward.

Operation Lone Star, initiated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, has led to an increase in high-speed chases by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and local law enforcement, resulting in at least 74 deaths and 189 injuries between March 2021 and July 2023.
The majority of these chases were initiated due to traffic violations, with 97% of these being misdemeanors such as speeding or failing to stop at a stop sign.
Human Rights Watch report indicates that the death rate from Operation Lone Star vehicle pursuits in the 60 participating counties is 1 per 112,000 people, significantly higher than the national rate of 1 per 820,000.
Among the casualties are innocent bystanders, including a 7-year-old girl, and at least seven pursuits ended with injuries to law enforcement officers.
Despite the risks, Texas officials argue that the operation has led to the apprehension of over 485,000 illegal immigrants, seizure of over 449 million lethal doses of fentanyl, and arrest of over 36,800 criminals.