KEMAH — A suspect charged in the murder of a man outside an east Texas City “ gathering place,” last month was arrested Wednesday night after leading police and state troopers on a high-speed chase that began outside of Beaumont.

Texas City Police Department

Justin Tolivar

Justin Tolivar, 27, of La Marque, was wanted for the murder of Louis Kirk, 31, of Texas City. Kirk was shot and killed in the doorway of a suspected gambling hall in the 400 block of Texas Avenue on Dec. 15.

Working on a tip, police obtained an arrest warrant for Tolivar on Jan. 2, but didn’t know where he was, Texas City Police Captain Brian Goetschius said. Surveillance teams were set up in Texas City and Beaumont.

Late Wednesday afternoon three detectives sent to Beaumont found the suspect and, with the help of Beaumont police, were preparing to arrest him when he took off. After an alert was issued, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers caught up with the suspect’s car on Interstate 10.

A high-speed chase that reportedly reached speeds in excess of 100 mph progressed west on I-10 and then south on state Highway 146. The suspect lost control of his vehicle on the Kemah Bridge and slammed into the northbound wall of the bridge at about 7:30 p.m.

The northbound lanes of state Highway 146 at the Kemah Bridge were shut down for more than two hours after the accident.

Tolivar, who was the only person in the car, was taken by ambulance to Mainland Medical Center in Texas City. Goetschius said the suspect’s injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

In addition to the murder charge, Tolivar was charged with felony evading arrest in a vehicle. He was also wanted for a parole violation, also known as a blue warrant, and once he is transferred from the hospital to the county jail he will be held without bond, police said.