Charges Against Chase Suspect Could Be Upgraded

HOUSTON -- Charges against a woman accused in a high-speed police pursuit that killed a 12-year-old boy could be upgraded, authorities told KPRC Local 2 on Monday.

Houston police were chasing a black Toyota 4-Runner that had been reported stolen Friday when it slammed into the passenger side of a car that Kyndall Batiste was riding in on Beechnut Street at Whitecap Lane at about 8:45 a.m.

Batiste was thrown from the car and landed on the pavement. He was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition shortly after the crash, but died from his injuries Sunday night.

Natasha Batiste, Kyndall's 36-year-old mother who was also injured in the crash, remains listed in serious condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Police arrested Dominique Bromon, the SUV's 18-year-old driver, at the scene.

Lott Brooks, Bromon's attorney, said his client has never been in trouble with the law before and did not steal the SUV. He said Bromon's friend was upset with her and reported it stolen.

"A child has died, and she is just distraught about it. We've had the conversation and we talked about it a little bit but right now she is kind of helpless," Brooks told KPRC Local 2.

Brooks said he still does not know why his client ran from police.

"It remains to be seen. I've talked to her about it. The problem is she's young, very impressionable and just afraid," Brooks said.

Bromon remains in the Harris County Jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest with injury.

The charges could be upgraded to criminally negligent homicide or manslaughter.

On Monday, grief counselors were at Holub Middle School, where Kyndall was a seventh-grade student who played on the football and basketball teams.

"We were all saddened by the news and we were all hoping and praying, of course. Our thoughts and prayers have truly been with the student and his family throughout all of this," Alief Independent School District spokeswoman Susan Castro told KPRC Local 2.