ELLIS COUNTY — A Kaufman County Jail inmate escaped and led police on a high-speed chase through three counties early Wednesday.

The unidentified inmate fled in a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis around 6:30 a.m. and attempted to evade patrol cars on Interstate 20 and Interstate 45 before his vehicle's tires were disabled.

The inmate tried to flee on foot after his car stopped near Ennis in Ellis County. He was taken into custody a short time later.

The man was said to have been jailed on an assault charge.