Carjacking suspect caused multi-vehicle downtown wreck that left 1 dead, another hurt, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A carjacking led to a fatal crash after a suspect forced a mother and her son out of their car, drove away, and hit two other vehicles, according to the Houston Police Department.

Sgt. Thomas Fendia said it started as a disturbance along Travis Street near McGowen Street in Midtown early Saturday morning, resulting in the mother getting out of her vehicle.

According to police, the suspect entered the woman's Ford Edge and shoved her as she tried to stop him from leaving while her 12-year-old son was in the vehicle.

The child escaped from the passenger side of the vehicle before the suspect took off, Fendia said.

Investigators reported that the suspect sped off in the Ford towards downtown, where he crashed into a Kia and a Toyota on Travis Street near McKinney Street.

Fendia said the driver of the Kia died at the scene, while the Toyota driver was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The carjacking suspect had injuries that were not life-threatening and was taken into custody, according to Fendia. He added that the Harris County District Attorney's Office has accepted murder charges.

Fendia said the suspect hit the mother with her Ford while trying to get away, but her son was not hurt. The mother will seek medical attention later.

HPD said their accident reconstruction team was at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.