A teenage boy has been arrested and charged following a deadly car crash that occurred on the East Freeway in Houston, as confirmed by the Houston Police Department. The incident, taking place around 8:45 p.m. yesterday, has left a young girl, believed to be in her teens, dead and several others injured. The suspect, after being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, faces charges related to the unlawful use of a motor vehicle and felony evading arrest.
The pursuit began when officers spotted a stolen silver Kia Rio, with the male driver refusing to pull over. Engaging in a chase, the authorities halted the pursuit for safety concerns as the teenage suspect took a dangerous route entering the Eastex Freeway the wrong way. Described by the City of Houston News, the suspect then barreled onto the I-10 East Freeway, going eastbound in the westbound lanes.
The crash occurred after the suspect collided with a gray Kia Forte, operated by a 51-year-old male who was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Among the passengers in the stolen vehicle, four teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16, including the deceased female victim, were taken to a hospital where, according to a statement by the police, "the female victim (a backseat passenger) was pronounced deceased." The identity of the girl is yet to be officially confirmed.
While officers were still on the lookout for the suspect and his accomplices, they discovered the aftermath of the horrific collision, despite not witnessing the crash itself. As reported by Sergeant E. Fendia and Officer T. Phillips of the HPD Vehicular Crimes Division, the preliminary investigation suggests the fatal crash occurred just about three minutes after officers discontinued the vehicle pursuit. Paramedics responded rapidly to the scene, providing medical assistance and transport to the parties involved.
