Police: Mom speeding before child dies in E. Houston rollover

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A 7-year-old boy was killed, his brother and sister hurt, when their mother crashed her car early Friday morning.

It happened on Maxey Road north of Woodforest Boulevard just before 1 a.m.

The family has identified the little boy who died as Jody Rodriguez. His grandmother, Orbelina Godines, said Jody was at her home on Thursday.

"Every time he would come over he would give me a hug and say I love you abuela," said Orbelina Godines.

Jody's aunt, Elizabeth Mayberry, thought of him like a son. She said he loved his long hair.

"We were close, real close. I stayed with my sister. He always wanted his hair braided," said Elizabeth Mayberry.

Jody's family is grieving the loss of boy they say was full of life.

Surveillance cameras from Magic Kingdom Party Supply captured the accident on video. ABC13 has chosen not to show most of it, due to how graphic the aftermath is.

Police say the mother was speeding when she ran over a pole and a 45 MPH speed limit sign, then flipped her Nissan. Rodriguez was ejected from a backseat window on the passenger side.

Moments after the crash, video shows his 4-year-old sister climb out of the back broken window and his 6-year-old brother climb out from a side window. The video shows a police officer consoling the mother as she cries next to her children.

At the party store, owners lit a candle in their parking lot, honoring Rodriguez, in the place where he died.

"We want for his soul to be able to find peace and just find his way into heaven," said Guilibaldo Villareao, whose family owns the party store. "It's an innocent life, just taken away. It just shouldn't have happened."

Investigators on scene said they found alcohol in the Nissan and one bottle was open. But police stressed it could have opened during the crash.

The mother was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital to have her blood drawn. Police would not say if they believe she had been drinking. Right now, the mother is not facing any charges.

It was unclear if any of the children were wearing safety belts. Officers said there was one booster seat in the back, but it was unknown which child was sitting in it. Police say based on their ages, height and weight, all of the children likely should have been sitting in a car seat or booster seat.

The family says the surviving children have been released from the hospital and are with family. The mother suffered broken ribs and has since returned homes.

If you would like donate to memorial fund for Rodriguez, the family has set up a GoFundMe page.

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