HOUSTON, TX – A suspect was charged with murder after investigators say he attempted to steal a Ford Edge with a 12-year-old child inside early Saturday morning, then caused a crash that killed another driver.
A disturbance occurred around 12:45 a.m. in the 2700 block of Travis Street. Police said a complainant was sitting inside a Ford Edge when she noticed the disturbance and exited her vehicle after believing a family member was involved.
Police said one of the main agitators got into the complainant’s Ford Edge and attempted to steal it while her 12-year-old son was sitting in the passenger seat. Investigators said the complainant tried to stop the suspect from leaving, but the suspect used force against her and shoved her out of the vehicle. Investigators believe the complainant was struck by the vehicle as the suspect drove off.
While the complainant was attempting to get her son out, police said the child escaped out of the passenger side and was not inside the vehicle when the suspect drove off.
Investigators said the suspect drove northbound on Travis Street at an extremely high rate of speed. As he passed Lamar Street, police said the suspect clipped a Kia Soul and a Toyota pickup truck. Investigators said the suspect then lost control and struck the Kia Soul with enough force that the Kia rolled over and sustained substantial damage.
The driver of the Kia Soul was pronounced deceased. The Toyota pickup driver was transported as a precaution and showed no signs of injury.
The suspect was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The complainant, described as a Hispanic female in her 30s, was injured and remained on scene to assist with the investigation before seeking medical attention. Police said the 12-year-old child was not injured.
The crash reconstruction unit is investigating the crash in conjunction with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. In consultation with investigators, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office accepted a murder charge against the suspect.
