THE WOODLANDS, Texas – One person died, and another was in critical condition after a hit-and-run crash in Montgomery County.
The accident happened around 9 p.m. Tuesday on FM 2978 and Hardin Store Road.
"Basically we had a driver traveling southbound on 2978. It veered off the roadway. Behind him was another car that was chasing him. They were traveling at a high rate of speed down the roadway," said Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Chris Hill.
The driver of a Nissan passed up the white pickup truck, but the pickup then began tailing the car, investigators said. According to a witness, both vehicles were speeding.
The truck rear-ended the Nissan, splitting the car in two. Police said the driver of the truck then took off.
"Vehicle looked like it rear-ended the vehicle and kept going. The vehicle that struck the vehicle that was traveling northbound 2978 went into the ditch, came back across onto the other side of traffic, where it struck another vehicle," said Hill.
Authorities said the third vehicle involved was a Chevy Suburban.
Steve Fullerton, 22, of Magnolia, was driving the Nissan that was ripped in half. Fullerton was killed.
The driver of the Chevy, Justin Smith, was sent to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition.
Investigators are searching for the truck driver. DPS troopers said they will ask businesses along FM 2978 to see if surveillance cameras captured the suspect on video.
The suspect would face at least one charge of failing to stop and render aid.