Police Identify Warr Acres Suspect Killed During Chase In Southwest OKC

Oklahoma City Police have released the name of a man who was killed when he tried to outrun officers, but lost control of his vehicle and crashed near Interstate 44 and S.W. 54th Street.

Around 3 a.m. Sunday near N.W. 14th Street and Independence, a police officer tried to stop a Chevrolet pickup for traffic violations.  Thirty-one-year-old Joe Escobar of Warr Acres was behind the wheel.  Police say Escobar refused to pull over, and the officer chased him.

11/20/2011 Related Story: OKC Police Chase Ends In Deadly Wreck

Oklahoma City police helicopter Air-1 entered the chase and patrol cars stopped pursuing Escobar. His pickup struck several curbs, flattening the front tires. Police say he drove a "considerable distance" on flat tires and rims.

Patrol cars once again joined the pursuit near Will Rogers World Airport. Escobar continued to speed through the streets,  trying to outrun officers despite the disabled tires on the truck.

Police say Escobar was traveling east in the westbound lanes of S.W. 54th Street when the pickup slammed into a curb between I-44 and Portland Avenue. The truck flipped several times, ejecting Escobar and killing him instantly.

Police had to use Air-1 to search the area and locate Escobar's body.

Investigators found beer at the scene and discovered Escobar was driving on a suspended driver's license. They also learned he had outstanding traffic warrants including driving under revocation out of Blaine County.

The pursuit and accident are under investigation.