Maverick County, Texas – On October 16, 2025, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers ended a high-speed pursuit along US-57 involving a red Ford Explorer linked to human smuggling.

During a traffic stop, the driver, Tetja Spears of Houston, refused to turn off her vehicle after a trooper detected the odor of marijuana. As the trooper attempted to disable the ignition, Spears drove off, nearly dragging the officer, before evading law enforcement and ignoring a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in Eagle Pass.

The pursuit concluded when troopers successfully deployed a tire deflation device. Spears and her passenger, Pettus Pine, were arrested.

Spears faces charges of Evading Arrest and Smuggling of Persons, while Pine is charged with Smuggling of Persons. Three illegal immigrants from Ecuador were discovered inside the vehicle and turned over to U.S. Border Patrol.

Texas DPS troopers emphasized their ongoing commitment to stopping dangerous smuggling operations that threaten public safety.

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