Innocent driver killed during high-speed chase identified as city of Houston employee

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – An innocent driver was hit and killed by a teen who was fleeing police in a stolen vehicle, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.

The chase started at 6 a.m. Saturday in Fort Bend County and ended in Harris County, the Sheriff's Office said.

While a Texas state trooper conducted a traffic stop on a 2012 Ford Mustang for a traffic violation, the driver, Chidi Onunkwo, 17, sped off in the Mustang. He ran several red traffic lights and struck the driver's side of a 2017 Honda at the intersection of Shiller Road and State Highway 6, killing Adorn Strambler.

“The victim of the crash is a 60-year-old female from Houston, and at this point in time we are grieving with this family because this is an unfortunate incident,” said Sgt. Stephen Woodard of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Onunkwo got out of the Mustang and ran after the crash, attempting to flee the scene. He was later caught and arrested by a Harris County deputy.

Investigators said the Mustang was stolen during a carjacking that was reported earlier in the day.

Woodard said that the deadly crash could have been avoided had Onunkwo followed police orders.

“Any time an individual flees from a law enforcement officer, especially by vehicle, it’s a huge risk to not only to the public but also to the officer and that individual fleeing,” Woodard said. “Again, we urge people if you see police lights pull over immediately.”

Strambler worked for the city of Houston Legal Department.

Mayor Sylvester Turner's press secretary Mary Benton released the following statement about Strambler:

"Adorn Strambler was an assistant and senior paralegal in the city of Houston Legal Department's  real estate section. This is a loss for the entire city. Mayor Turner has been notified and will share his condolences privately with the family."

Mayor Turner tweeted his condolences on Sunday night:

Onunkwo was taken to Southwest Hermann Memorial for his injuries. He is charged with evading arrest and other pending felony charges. 


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