Authorities responded at about 2:09 a.m. to the crash on Telge near Cypress North Houston.
Deputies say the woman, who they identified as 26-year-old Arely Razo, was speeding when she hit a curb, lost control of her car and then hit a tree.
Her passenger died at the scene.
Razo was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
According to the sheriff's office, witnesses said that the women were at a nearby bar earlier in the night.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said that Razo showed signs of intoxication.
She has been arrested for intoxication manslaughter.