Friends and family of Ronnie Burns and Jayden Flemming told Eyewitness News that the two men were visiting Houston for a fraternity event when the deadly accident took place early Saturday morning.
The crash happened at the intersection of Smith and Elgin in Midtown.
"They had a very bright future," said Flemming's mother, Leonnie Williams. "It was taken away from them."
Williams said her son was the first person in their family to graduate from college. She traveled to Houston from Florida following the deadly wreck.
"He was full of life," she said. "He was a very good person."
The Harris County Precinct 7 Constable's Office said this started when a deputy saw a Ford F-150 driving erratically near the intersection of Smith and Dennis.
SEE ORIGINAL REPORT: 2 killed in crash while deputies tried to stop hit-and-run suspect in Midtown, HPD says
2 killed in crash while deputies tried to stop hit-and-run suspect
Constable James "Smokie" Phillips said the deputy saw the truck hit other vehicles before she started the brief chase.
The site of the accident is less than half a mile from where the pursuit began.
"The suspect's vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Smith and Elgin and collided with a Lexus," Phillips said. "The impact forced the Lexus into a nearby building, where it caught on fire. Tragically, both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene."
The suspect is 21-year-old Rene Hernandez. He's still in the hospital, but authorities tell ABC13 that Hernandez will be charged with two counts of murder.
Phillips said authorities noticed alcohol and slurred speech when they interviewed Hernandez after the wreck.
The suspect had a female passenger in the truck he was driving, but she is expected to survive.
"I feel like this should be a learning lesson for everybody," said Leonard Gant, who is a friend of Flemming and Burns. "We shouldn't be drinking and driving."
Phillips said the deputy who started the pursuit is on administrative leave out of respect for her mental health.
He said she properly followed the agency's policy when it comes to initiating a chase.
ABC13 has submitted a written request to receive a copy of that policy from the Harris County Precinct 7 Constable's Office.
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