An off-duty Montgomery County firefighter is facing criminal charges after a four-vehicle crash in Conroe sent several people, including children, to the hospital, according to police. Officers say they were called to the intersection of Avenue M Extension and Cedar Way Street around 7:40 p.m. Thursday, where the firefighter allegedly showed up after the wreck and tampered with evidence at the scene. The Conroe Police Department later identified him as 29-year-old Christopher Molina and said he was charged with tampering with physical evidence and possession of a controlled substance.
Crash details
According to Conroe officers, the chain-reaction wreck started when a Honda Accord slowed to make a turn. A Chevrolet Tahoe behind it allegedly failed to control its speed, drifted into oncoming traffic, scraped the Accord and then slammed head-on into a Chevrolet Suburban. A Toyota RAV4 then collided with the Tahoe. The Tahoe and Suburban were left with what police described as catastrophic damage, according to Montgomery County Police Reporter.
Arrest and charges
Investigators say Molina, who was off duty at the time, arrived after the crash and tampered with physical evidence at the scene before officers took him into custody on suspicion of tampering with evidence and possession of a controlled substance, as reported by ABC13 Houston. Authorities have not said what the controlled substance was.
Victims and hospitals
Police said the driver and two children from the Suburban were rushed to nearby hospitals. According to investigators, the driver and one juvenile were listed in critical condition, while a second juvenile was treated and released, per reporting by Montgomery County Police Reporter. The driver of the Tahoe was also taken to a local hospital and is expected to recover, authorities said.
Legal implications
For now, the tampering and possession counts remain allegations that will move through the courts as investigators collect evidence and prosecutors decide on any additional charges. The District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit has been asked to assist, a move that typically signals prosecutors are reviewing whether impairment or other criminal factors played a role in the collision, according to ABC13 Houston.
What officials say next
Conroe police say the investigation is still active and are asking anyone who saw the crash or has information to contact the department. The case now sits with investigators and local prosecutors, while first responders and neighbors contend with the aftermath of a violent wreck at a busy Conroe intersection.
