2nd teen dies after car crashed through barrier, flew off overpass

HOUSTON – A car crashed through a barrier and flew off an overpass in west Houston, leaving its two teen occupants dead. 

Officers said they tried to stop the driver of a silver Mercedes Benz C43 from far behind after he exited the Katy Freeway and blew past a red light at Silber and I-10 just before 11 p.m Wednesday.

Police said they were unable to catch up to the speeding driver, who kept racing toward the North Post Oak overpass.

Surveillance video shows the driver miss the turn and fly over a concrete barrier on the overpass. The vehicle landed about 20 feet below on the eastbound ramp to I-10, officers said.

WATCH: Surveillance video shows car going off overpass

"(The driver) ended up taking the split here, which goes up to the Post Oak area," officers said. "He miscalculated the actual intersection and drove through the intersection over a concrete barrier and then down to the entrance ramp below, which gets back onto I-10 east."

The vehicle landed upside down on the ramp and burst into flames, trapping the two teens inside, authorities said.

Good Samaritans who saw the accident happen jumped into action and worked to pull the 17-year-old driver out of the vehicle. That person was taken to the hospital in critical condition but later died Friday.

His identity has not been released.

The witnesses were unable to get the 16-year-old passenger, identified by Spring Branch Independent School District officials as Memorial High School junior Henry Davis, out of the vehicle.

Firefighters were eventually able to put the fire out and free Davis, but it was too late.

A witness said he was on his way back to Lake Jackson when the accident happened.

"We came from Lake Jackson to street race," said Giovanni De La Mora. "We were going back home and it was about 10:30 p.m. Cops were, like, rushing next to us when we were on the highway. We were on the feeder and they made us, like, move to the side. We were just rushing and we got onto a wrong lane. We come to a sudden stop. We come to a car that's on fire."

De La Mora said it was the first time he'd ever witnessed anything like that. 

Spring Branch ISD officials issued the following statement:

"Our hearts go out to the family of Henry Davis at this tragic time of loss. Memorial High School will have crisis counselors on site when school resumes Monday for any students and staff who need support at this difficult time."

Memorial High School administrators sent the following message to parents:

"This morning, we learned of the tragic death of MHS junior Henry Davis in an automobile accident last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of loss. At this time, funeral arrangements have not been announced.

"We will have crisis counselors at Memorial High School on Monday for students and staff who may need support at this difficult time."


About the Authors:

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.