Street racing to blame for crash that killed 2, deputies say

HOUSTON – Street racing is to blame for a crash Monday in northwest Harris County that killed two people, according to deputies.

The crash was reported about 12:45 p.m. near the intersection of Hollister Road and State Highway 249.

Authorities said two Ford Mustangs, driven by Kevin Strong and Devante Franklin, were racing southbound on 249. They said the cars reached speeds up to 90 mph, before one of them slammed into an SUV that was pulling out of a gas station.

The driver of the SUV, a man likely in his 50s, was killed in the crash. Strong was also killed in the crash.

Two other people were injured in the crash, deputies said.

Franklin was not injured, deputies said.

"It just breaks your heart especially those that we're being reckless, you know is one thing, that there were just innocent people that were impacted by this as well. One lost his life," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. "Car racing is always going to be a dangerous thing and it's against the law and it shouldn't happen."

Harris County deputies tweeted that both of the victims died at the scene.

Cecilia Martinez saw the aftermath of the crash and said it's not the first time street racing has been an issue on the stretch of 249 near Hollister.

"I live just right here behind the subdivision. I started thinking about my granddaughters because I always tell them to be careful because they're always driving too fast through here; they're always speeding through here," Martinez said.

With the crash still under investigation, other drivers say it's a painful reminder of why everyone has to be careful on the road.

"People need to be more responsible nowadays. Because, I mean, that's souls that they just took away from families," Joseph Montano said.

Investigators said prosecutors will decide whether to seek charges against Franklin.


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