Early Monday on Houston's Memorial Drive, a late-night drive turned deadly when a white sedan slammed into a tree, burst into flames and left one person dead and another fighting for life. The crash happened around 12:38 a.m. as the car headed eastbound, lost control, left the roadway and struck a tree. Houston Fire Department crews rushed in to knock down the flames while first responders rushed the driver to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Crash details and response
The vehicle caught fire after impact, according to Click2Houston. That report states the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Authorities told Click2Houston they believe the victims are one male and one female, though their identities have not yet been released.
Investigation under way
Investigators are still trying to pin down what caused the car to leave the road, and the probe remains active. "Due to the extensive fire damage, investigators have not been able to determine the make or model of the vehicle," according to Click2Houston. Houston police are examining the scene and any available evidence in an effort to reconstruct the chain of events.
Memorial Drive safety record
Memorial Drive has seen several serious crashes in recent years, including a high-speed collision last December that shut down the roadway and left a driver dead, as detailed in this report on a high-speed Memorial Park smash. The Houston Police Department has also documented multiple fatal wrecks along the corridor, highlighting ongoing safety concerns on the park-to-Loop stretch of the road, as noted in a Houston Police Department news release. Local advocates have long pushed for engineering changes and tougher enforcement on some of Houston's most dangerous thoroughfares.
Houston police say the investigation into Monday's crash is ongoing and the names of those involved have not been released. This story will be updated as Houston police and fire officials provide additional information.
