Woman died after being hit by stolen car going wrong way on US-59 feeder, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A woman died after being hit by a suspect who was driving the wrong way while running from police on US-59, according to authorities.

Humble and Houston police made it clear Thursday that they were not chasing the fleeing car but said one agency did not stop pursuing the suspect, ending in a crash just outside Coburn's Supply Company.

"I think it tells us that it can happen any time, any place," manager Brandon Worley said.

The first thing Worley did Thursday morning was check the cameras on his business to see what they captured.

"(Wednesday) night, it was on the news. Videos were posted on social media, and everyone started reaching out to us saying, 'Hey, did you hear about the accident that just happened?'" Worley said.

That crash happened Wednesday night on the feeder of US-59 near Rankin Road just out of view of the cameras.

What you can see is the law enforcement response, and about 15 minutes later, what appears to be two officers taking a moment, one rubbing their head as they lean against a light pole.

This crash would end with a 40-year-old woman dying. Worley said the scene still shows evidence of the life-saving effort first responders took.

"What showed the seriousness of it is you could see all the leftover medical supplies, gloves, that kind of thing, and some bloody clothing that had been cut off the victim, and that let us know it was a pretty serious accident," Worley said.

Humble police are handling this case and tell us they spotted a stolen vehicle Wednesday night.

They attempted to get the driver out of the car, but he drove off, leading police on a chase down roads and through parking lots.

At some point during the case, a woman got out of the car and was taken into custody, though we do not know who she is or how she is involved.

Humble police told ABC13 that they recognized the dangerous nature of the chase and called in the HPD helicopter to monitor the vehicle from the air so they could back off.

But we're told deputies with Montgomery County Constables Precinct 4 did not stop chasing, even when the fleeing car drove the wrong way on the northbound feeder lane of US-59.

The fleeing car went on to hit a silver Kia with a 40-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man inside. Both were taken to the hospital, and the woman driver died.

Humble police say the wrong-way driver, 25-year-old Sebastian Rene Sanchez, was arrested, booked into jail, and charged with murder.

Thursday, Worley said it's hard not to imagine the woman victim and what she may have been doing, unaware of what was about to happen.

"This is a woman who's probably just driving home from work, and she's on the feeder road. The next thing you know, a vehicle is flying, going the wrong direction from a police chase, and who knows what's going to happen," Worley said.

Pct 4. did not answer ABC13's questions about why they didn't terminate the pursuit or if their policy allows chases in the wrong direction.

Sanchez is waiting to be transferred to the Harris County Jail.