MEXIA (November 23, 2009)—James Kevin Myers, 21, who authorities identified as a resident of a group home in Ennis, was in the Limestone County Jail Monday afternoon after a high-speed chase earlier in the day through three Central Texas counties that ended in gunfire on the campus of the Mexia State School.

Myers was taken into custody after he was released from Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco where he was treated for injuries from what officials described as shrapnel after authorities fired at his vehicle.

Limestone County Sheriff Dennis Wilson says his agency received a call for assistance around 7:00 a.m. Monday with a high-speed police pursuit coming into the county along State Highway 14.

Wilson said the chase started after the Navarro County Sheriff’s office received a report a reckless driver along Interstate 45 near Corsicana.

A Department of Public Safety trooper following up on the reckless driver report made a routine stop on the interstate, Wilson said, and determined the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Ennis, about 21 miles north of Corsicana.

Wilson said the driver of the stopped vehicle, and then fled as troopers were running the plates.

Navarro county deputies became involved in the pursuit as the vehicle exited Interstate 45 onto Highway 14.

Freestone and Limestone county deputies also joined the pursuit.

The driver turned off Highway 14 onto State Highway 171 in Mexia, where police officers also joined the pursuit.

The chase ended in gunfire on the campus of Mexia State School, Wilson said.

Earlier reports indicated that officers exchanged gunfire with the driver, but Wilson said Monday afternoon the man was not armed.

Authorities fired on the vehicle after the driver attempted to run down an officer, Wilson said.

The driver was taken to Parkview Hospital in Mexia and later transferred to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center for treatment.

Texas Rangers are heading up investigation.