Officials said a Galena Park Police Department officer attempted to pull over the speeding driver around 3 a.m. on the 2200 block of Clinton Drive.
First responders told ABC13 they believe the driver was traveling at least 80mph at times during the pursuit.
Officers said they lost sight of the suspect during the chase and later found the car crashed with a passenger dead inside.
"We have one occupant on the passenger side. We believe he is the passenger. We think the driver had gotten out and ran before the officers arrived. By the time we determined that, we weren't able to establish a perimeter. So, at this point in time, we believe our suspect is at large," Houston Police Department Sergeant Thomas Fendia said.
HPD said it is now leading the investigation, and Fendia said it will process the vehicle for DNA.
The department is still trying to determine how many people were in the car, officers said.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact HPD.