In a late-night incident on August 26, 2023, a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper took action on Interstate 30 Westbound near the 131 mile marker. Around 9:30 p.m., the trooper spotted a speeding vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit of 75 mph. The vehicle was clocked at 92 mph using the trooper's front radar system.
Upon noticing the speeding vehicle, the trooper initiated his efforts to address the situation. The trooper swiftly accelerated to pursue the vehicle and confirmed its excessive speed. With the vehicle still maintaining a high rate of speed, the trooper activated his emergency lights to signal the driver to pull over.
Initially, the vehicle did not comply with the trooper's request to stop, prompting the trooper to briefly engage the emergency siren. After a few moments, the driver reacted and moved the vehicle to the roadside. Upon approaching the vehicle, the trooper identified the driver as Jakylan Wright, a 21-year-old male from Mt. Pleasant, Texas. A female passenger was also present in the vehicle.
During the interaction with Wright, he confessed to having marijuana within the vehicle. Furthermore, he informed the trooper about the presence of a handgun located in the driver's side door. Acting on this information, the trooper initiated a search of the vehicle based on probable cause.
The subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a backpack containing a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana, confirming Wright's admission. Additionally, it was revealed that the female passenger had moved the firearm from the driver's side door to her own backpack.
As a result of the findings, Jakylan Wright was taken into custody and transported to the Hopkins County Jail. He is now facing charges for the possession of marijuana (less than 2 ounces) as well as unlawful carrying of a weapon.
