Dallas Cyclist Thrown from Hood During High-Speed Police Chase, Survives with Broken Arm

DALLAS: A Dallas cyclist is lucky to be alive after a terrifying encounter during a police chase on Saturday that left him injured and thrown from the hood of a speeding car.

Jim Martin was riding with a group of cyclists near the intersection of Gus Thomasson Road and the Interstate 30 frontage road in Mesquite when a suspect fleeing Garland police struck him from behind. According to witnesses, Martin landed on the hood of the Dodge Charger and was carried for over a mile before being launched into the air during a crash involving other vehicles.

“He’s going to be OK, which is the great news, and we’re all grateful for that,” said fellow cyclist Greg Murff, who was riding beside Martin when the incident occurred. Martin’s most serious injury was a broken arm—an outcome friends say could have been far worse.

Police say the driver, identified as 33-year-old Justin Johnson, was fleeing officers after allegedly assaulting a female family member. During the chase, Johnson reportedly threw drugs from the vehicle and struck multiple cars before attempting to flee on foot. He was arrested at the scene.

Johnson is currently held at the Garland Detention Center and faces several charges, including evading arrest causing serious bodily injury, assault with continuous family violence, tampering with evidence, and a parole violation.

The crash scene was chaotic, with emergency responders treating victims and cyclists looking on in shock. Despite the traumatic event, Martin’s friends say he’s determined to return to cycling as soon as he’s able.

“This showed just how dangerous it can be for cyclists out there,” said Murff. “One second everything’s fine, the next—it’s chaos.”