A deadly chain-reaction crash on Houston's Westview Drive left a 79-year-old driver dead Tuesday afternoon and briefly locked up traffic in the Spring Branch area, according to Houston police. Investigators say a gray BMW 530i on the 7800 block of Westview first hit another car from behind, then careened into three more vehicles before coming to a stop. The driver was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to MyTexasDaily, the crash unfolded around 4 p.m. as the BMW traveled eastbound on Westview. The outlet reports that the 79-year-old man behind the wheel rear-ended one vehicle, then struck three others in quick succession. A Houston Police Department press release reviewed by the outlet states that investigators believe the BMW driver may have suffered a medical episode shortly before the collision.
Medical Episode, License Review And Investigations
When officers suspect a health emergency is behind a crash, their work does not always stop at the scene. Law enforcement can file a report with the Texas Department of Public Safety that may trigger a medical-advisory review of the driver. DPS can then require a medical evaluation to determine whether that person is fit to keep a license, FOX 26 Houston explains. That process is separate from any criminal or traffic investigation and can result in temporary license restrictions while medical professionals complete their review.
Identification And Forensic Work
The driver's identity is still awaiting official confirmation by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the county agency responsible for autopsies and formal identification. Public information from the institute notes that it works alongside police investigators to verify who the deceased is and to determine the cause and manner of death, a process that can take several days.
How To Help Investigators
Houston police are asking anyone who saw the crash or has dash-cam footage from the area to reach out to HPD's Vehicular Crimes or Hit-and-Run Unit, or to contact Crime Stoppers. Recent Houston Police Department news releases list the Hit-and-Run Unit at 713-247-4072 and Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS; for reference, see a recent news update in the department's online archive from the Houston Police Department.
