December 28 2020 - Houston police are investigating a fatal crash at 13500 Northwest Freeway (U.S. Highway 290) that occurred about 2:05 a.m. today.

The identity of the deceased male, 23, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant D. Rose and Officer J. Baker reported:

The victim was driving a silver Toyota Scion westbound on the freeway at the above address and failed to maintain a single lane. The vehicle struck a white Chevrolet Malibu and both vehicles spun out.  A third vehicle, a silver Chrysler 300, was struck by the Toyota, which then caused the Toyota to twice strike the HOV concrete barrier wall.  The impact from the wall ejected the Toyota's driver across the HOV lanes into the main eastbound lanes of the freeway. 

A Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constable was driving eastbound on the freeway and struck the body of the driver as the deputy was en route to the Joint Processing Center with a prisoner.  The driver of the Toyota was pronounced deceased on the scene.  The deputy and prisoner were not injured. 

The driver of the Chevrolet was not injured.  He stopped and did not show signs of intoxication.  The driver of the Chrysler remained on scene, did not show signs of intoxication and was transported to an area hospital in stable condition. 

An 18-wheeler struck debris in the roadway in the westbound lanes and was determined not to be involved in the original crash.  Just prior to the crash, there was a vehicle stopped in a moving lane of traffic in the area of the crash, but it was not involved in any crash.  The driver of that vehicle was taken into custody and will be charged with driving while intoxicated. 

The investigation is continuing.