Police chase of fugitive in El Paso’s Lower Valley ends with car going up in flames

EL PASO, Texas -- A police chase of a wanted fugitive through the Lower Valley on Tuesday night ended with a car going up in flames and exploding.

The vehicle was being chased by deputies with the San Elizario Marshal’s Office after the driver fled about 7 p.m. from the scene of a a traffic stop in the 12100 block of Socorro Road in San Elizario.

The chase ended around 7:30 p.m. when the car being chased crashed into a cement median near the intersection of Alameda and Americas in El Paso and burst into flames.

Authorities said the driver of the car, 28-year-old Michael Meza, jumped out of it and tried to run away but was captured.

Meza was wanted in Texas for a parole violation involving drugs and was also being sought in New Mexico on a separate parole violation for assaulting a police officer, according to the Marshal's Office.

In addition to the parole violations, officials said Meza is now facing additional charges of evading arrest.   

There were no reports of any injuries from the chase or fire.