POLICE Department

Update: Suspect Arrested, Charged in Fatal Crash at 10100 East Freeway

June 29, 2017 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in a fatal crash at 10100 East Freeway (East Interstate Highway 10) about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday (June 25).

The suspect, Carlos Cardenas (H/m, 51), is charged with dwi with a child under 15 in the 182nd State District Court.

A photo of suspect Cardenas is attached to this news release.

The identity of the female victim, 8, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant A. Vanderbull and Officer D. Jones reported:

Cardenas was driving a red Ford Explorer eastbound on the East Freeway when the right rear tire started to lose tread.  The Explorer failed to stay in a single lane, struck a concrete divider and rolled several times.  One child passenger (victim) was ejected from the vehicle.  She was transported by HFD paramedics to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition.  Doctors pronounced her deceased on Wednesday (June 28).  A  second child, 5, was also ejected from the vehicle and was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  Two female passengers, 13 and 47, were transported to Ben Taub General Hospital in unknown conditions.  One other male passenger, 28, was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in an unknown condition.

Cardenas was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital and determined to be impaired.  He was taken into custody and subsequently charged.