2 passengers standing outside vehicle on US 290 eastbound fatally struck by truck following fight, sheriff says

HOUSTON – Two passengers were killed Friday after being struck by an oncoming truck following a fight with their driver on U.S. 290 near Mason Road, according to the Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

According to Houston TranStar, the crash was reported at around 5 a.m. in the 28000 block of US 290 eastbound. Multiple eastbound lanes were shut down for several hours as authorities investigated and cleared the scene.

Gonzalez said via Twitter that a man, driving a red 2016 Honda Accord, and his passengers - a man and woman - were traveling in the fast lane of the freeway. The relationship between the passengers and the driver is unknown, but for some reason, one of the passengers began fighting the driver.

According to Gonzalez, the driver stopped the vehicle and all three got out of the car. The oncoming black 2013 Ford F-150, also in the inside lane, struck the rear end of the parked vehicle. The woman, who was pinned in between the Honda and truck, and the man, who was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle, were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Both drivers were also injured and taken to a nearby hospital in fair conditions, according to deputies.

Gonzalez said there does not appear to be any signs of impairment on the part of either driver involved. It is believed the driver of the car was giving the two passengers a ride to their vehicles. They may have been coming from a college homecoming event.

The collision is under investigation.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.