HOUSTON – Harris County Sheriff's officials tell Local 2 Investigates the man who slammed into the back of a Houston police car on New Year's Eve had threatened to kill police officers prior to the crash. However, Houston police said they do not believe the crash on Highway 59 near Laura Koppe Road was an intentional act.
Police said Homar Palacios, 26, was the driver of a car that veered across several lanes of traffic before running into the back of a Houston Police Department patrol car and then plummeting off the overpass. An HPD sergeant was in the patrol car at the time of the accident finishing a report and suffered minor injuries.
"Initial reports are the vehicle was going at a very high rate of speed when he entered the freeway, complete disregard for other motorists that were on the highway," said HPD spokesperson Victor Senties during a December 31st interview. "He went from the far right lane all the way across the freeway main lanes to the left side of the freeway where the sergeant was finishing up his traffic stop."
Local 2 has learned twelve hours before this crash, Palacios called the Harris County Sheriff's Office and warned he would kill any police officer who tried to arrest him. Palacios, who state records show has a criminal history going back to 2005, had a warrant out for his arrest. Harris County court records show he was accused of threatening his estranged wife with a gun and charged with aggravated assault against a family member. After the threat, Sheriff's deputies tried to arrest Palacios but couldn't find him.
HPD Officer T. White, with the vehicular crimes division, told Local 2 the department was aware of the threat but still believes what happened New Year's Eve was nothing more than a man going too fast, driving recklessly and losing control of his car. White said, at this time, he does not believe Palacios intentionally targeted the patrol car.
Palacios died at the crash site, as did his 24-year-old passenger. Police said a man in the back seat of Palacios' car is still recovering at Ben Taub hospital with a broken pelvis and broken ribs.
White said investigators have spoken with this man, but he does not remember the accident or what happened prior to the crash.
Police said the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.