June 7, 2024 - Charges have been filed against a suspect wanted in a fatal hit-and-run crash after leading Houston police officers on a pursuit that ended at 3500 Rebecca Street about 8:25 p.m. on Thursday (June 6).

The suspect, Jacolby Pendleton, 30, is charged with murder in the 184th State District Court. A May 2024 booking photo of Pendleton, who is not in custody, is attached to this news release.

The identity of the female victim, 68, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant E. Fendia and Officer A. Mares reported:

Officers with the Southeast Patrol Division Crime Suppression Team were searching for Pendleton, a known felony suspect, when they observed him enter a black Nissan Kicks SUV. Uniformed officers in a marked patrol vehicle attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Pendleton refused to stop and led officers on a short pursuit. When Pendleton turned onto Rebecca street, he lost control of the Nissan, which left the roadway, struck a dumpster, rolled and struck a female pedestrian in a walking path in an apartment complex.

As officers turned on to Rebecca Street they observed the crashed vehicle and the suspect fleeing on foot.

Paramedics were called and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

Investigators contacted the Harris County District Attorney's Office and a murder charge was subsequently filed on Pendleton.

Pendleton had been arrested on May 29 and recently released from jail.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacolby Pendleton is urged to contact the HPD Vehicular Crimes Division at 713-247-4072 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.