The Texas prison system is suspending bus transports after an inmate made a movie-like escape from a prison bus, sparking a three-week-long manhunt before the fugitive was killed by police.
Inmate transports will stop while the Texas Department of Criminal Justice conducts a review of its procedures, the department said in a press release.
“If it becomes necessary to do a transport such as releasing (an inmate) or an emergency medical appointment, additional security measures will be implemented. The agency is conducting an internal Serious Incident Review and also intends to bring in an outside firm to conduct an independent review.”
The investigations come in the wake of the escape of inmate Gonzalo Lopez on May 12.
Lopez, a convicted murderer serving two life sentences, was being taken to a medical appointment on board a prison bus with 16 other inmates when he somehow managed to free himself from restraints, took control of the bus, crashed it and then fled on foot. A Texas woman captured video of Lopez fleeing into the woods.
After being on the lam for three weeks, Lopez was killed by police on June 3.
Cops say the fugitive, who authorities said was a former member of the Mexican Mafia prison gang, killed an adult and four children on June 3 inside a weekend cabin in Centerville, about 250 miles from here he ultimately was found.
Lopez then allegedly stole a white Chevrolet Silverado from the victims, which authorities spotted in an area south of San Antonio. Deputies in Atascosa County laid down spike strips, causing Lopez to crash into a tree.
Lopez emerged from the wrecked truck and exchanged gunfire with law enforcement, who killing the fugitive. The 46-year-old had a handgun and a rifle in his possession.
The 46-year-old inmate, who was convicted of capital murder, had previously escaped before. Authorities said he was on the run for nine days during his first escape.
