Good Samaritan missing after alleged drunk driver plows into crash scene

Search continues in Brazos River by boat and helicopter for Puneet Nehra

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Authorities continue to search for a good Samaritan who was helping a crash victim, then possibly went over a bridge and into a river when an alleged drunk driver plowed into the accident scene.

Crews from Texas EquuSearch resumed their search early Tuesday morning, following an extended search Monday night.

The wreck occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday on the Grand Parkway northbound on the Brazos River.
Nehra, 43, has not been located. Deputies believe he may have gone over the bridge and into the river.Deputies said Puneet Nehra, of Sugar Land, had stopped to assist with an accident on the bridge when an intoxicated driver crashed into the original scene.

"We didn't realize that it had happened until it was time to clear the scene and we had one more vehicle than we had drivers, and that's when the deputies had to reassess what happened and figure out where he might be," said Maj. Chad Norvell, with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.

A family friend told KPRC 2 News that Nehra was on his way back home after picking up dinner for his family when he encountered the crash.

Texas EquuSearch, the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office and local fire departments are searching the river by boat and helicopter.

Tim Miller with Texas Equusearch said high water levels and debris in the water were making the search more difficult.

"The Brazos River is unforgiving, down there where he went in, it goes anywhere from 25 to 48 feet."" Miller said.

Nehra is about 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing around 154 lbs with black hair. He was wearing a white Polo shirt with red and blue strips, blue jeans and green New Balance shoes.

Investigators said the suspected drunk driver, Gregory Kure, of Needville, was arrested. Kure, 30, is charged with driving under the influence.

"If you can envision a sweet and pure soul, willing to help anyone in need, who would open his heart to anyone he saw, that's Mr. Nehra," said close family friend Anjali Bakshi-Rami.

Bakshi-Rami spoke on behalf of Nehra's family. His wife and two young children are having a difficult time with this, hoping and praying for the best and asking anyone with information about what happened at the crash site to come forward and contact the Sheriff's Office.

"We hope with all of our hearts this will yield some info and bring Puneet home," Bakshi-Rami said.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Detective Williams at 281-341-3839.