The accident happened at about 3:30am Thursday on FM 1960. Houston police say the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed on the road that loops around Willowbrook mall. He then lost control of the vehicle, went off the roadway and struck a fence with concrete pillars.
The front seat passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The rear passenger was transported to Northwest Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The suspect was not injured.
Officers believe alcohol was involved.
"He is right now being detained and waiting to be charged with intoxicated manslaughter. He has been drinking, and we are awaiting the DA's office to confirm the charges can be filed on him," said Steve Sorge with HPD.
Officers say the driver, Asif Aejaz, refused a field sobriety test but admitted to drinking. He was sent to the hospital for a mandatory blood test.
Aejaz, 41, is facing a charge of intoxication manslaughter. The identity of the deceased male victim, 35, has not been released.
This is not Aejaz's first brush with the law this year. Last month, he was charged with sexual assault and improper photography after investigators say he allegedly drugged a female friend during a night of drinks in May, then raped her and took nude photos of her.
Aejaz was out on bond in that case and is due in court December 5.