A Saturday night in Sunnyside ended in tragedy when a driver struck and killed a man who used a wheelchair on Reed Road, then left without staying to talk to investigators, according to Houston police.
The crash was reported just after 9:10 p.m. on Saturday. Investigators say the victim has not yet been firmly identified as detectives continue working with family members to confirm his identity.
According to Click2Houston, the collision happened around 9:12 p.m. in the 4400 block of Reed Road in Sunnyside. Investigators believe a silver Mazda sedan hit the man in the wheelchair. A witness reportedly pointed the suspected vehicle out to officers, and police say the driver left without providing information before leaving the scene. Police told the station that they have spoken with family members but have not publicly released the victim’s name.
Police response and how to report tips
Detectives with the Houston Police Department’s Vehicular Crimes Division are leading the investigation and canvassing the neighborhood for surveillance and dash-cam video that might show the collision or the suspected vehicle.
HPD’s phone directory lists the Vehicular Crimes Division at (713) 247-4072, which is the number investigators say people can call with information about this case. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS.
What the law says
Texas law is clear about what drivers must do after a serious crash. Leaving the scene of a collision that causes death can be prosecuted as a felony. Texas Transportation Code §550.021 requires a driver involved in a collision to stop, return to the scene, provide identifying information and render reasonable aid. When a death is involved, the offense is treated as a second-degree felony.
The punishment range for a second-degree felony is set out in state law. For details, see Texas Penal Code §12.33, which outlines the potential penalties judges can impose for such offenses.
A worrying pattern in Houston
Deadly hit-and-runs have become a recurring and unsettling headline in Houston. Investigators routinely stress that community tips and video footage are often what finally identify a driver and lead to charges.
In April, for example, ABC13 reported that HPD was investigating two separate overnight hit-and-runs in which pedestrians were killed. In those cases, too, police publicly urged anyone with information or video to come forward.
For Saturday night’s crash on Reed Road, investigators say they are working to track down the silver Mazda and identify the driver. Anyone who has dash-cam footage, surveillance video or other information related to the incident is asked to call the Vehicular Crimes Division at (713) 247-4072 or contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
