Driver charged after fleeing crash that killed passenger

HOUSTON – A man was charged after he fled a car crash that killed a passenger in his vehicle Saturday morning in northwest Houston, police said.

The crash happened around 4:10 a.m. in the 7500 block of Janak Drive.

Police said Jose Pineda was driving a gray Infinity G37 eastbound on Janak Drive when he hit an parked unoccupied white Jeep, slammed into a tree and ended up back on the street. Police said Pineda ran away from the scene.

The right rear passenger in the Infinity was pronounced dead at the scene and the other passenger had minor injuries.

Pineda was later found in the 1600 block of South Park Drive and taken into custody.

He is charged with failure to stop and render aid.