Teen driver in fatal crash involving stolen car charged, police say

HOUSTON – The 16-year-old driver of a crash in southeast Houston that left one teen dead and three others injured has been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, police said.

According to officials, a man was carjacked at gunpoint at a location in the 3300 block of Navigation Blvd., about 20 minutes from the crash site.

Authorities said the accident happened around 2:30 a.m. Friday near the Gulf Freeway and Sagedowne, less than an hour after the vehicle was stolen.

Police said the driver lost control of the vehicle while taking an exit ramp and hit a “do not enter sign,” struck several small poles in front of a nearby dealership, slammed into a gate before slamming into the concrete base of a light pole.

Police said the impact shoved the gate into the parking lot.

A gun was also recovered from the vehicle, but it is not yet confirmed if that was the same weapon used in the carjacking, authorities said.

The front passenger was killed in the crash. Another passenger was transported via LifeFlight to a nearby hospital, where he is in critical condition.

The driver and other passenger were taken to a hospital under the supervision of the Houston Police Department and are being questioned by police to determine who was involved in the carjacking, police said.

Police said other charges are pending and could vary depending on the roles of who was involved in the carjacking.


About the Author:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.