Alleged car thief, passenger charged following crash that killed HPD sergeant’s mother

HOUSTON – Two suspects have been charged following a crash in a stolen vehicle that killed the mother of a Houston Police Department sergeant in southeast Houston Thursday, authorities said.

Trenton Bevel, 18, was charged with murder in the 248th State District Court. He is accused of causing a crash in the 7500 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard at about 10:15 a.m.

Police said a man identified as 21-year-old Kerrick Chancellor Bettie was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash. He was charged with aggravated robbery for his alleged role in the initial carjacking incident.

• ‘In a state of shock’: Woman killed in car crash involving stolen vehicle identified as HPD sergeant’s mother

Patrol officers said they observed a stolen Dodge Charger taken in an armed robbery Wednesday evening. When an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle on Jutland Road at Bellfort Avenue, investigators said the suspected driver refused to stop. Officers reportedly lost sight of the vehicle just north of Reed Road and MLK Boulevard and called off the pursuit. Investigators said sometime later, the vehicle struck the victim’s vehicle as she was waiting at the red light. Paramedics pronounced the woman dead at the scene.

• READ MORE: HPD officer’s mom killed by fleeing carjackers in SE Houston, chief says

Officers said Bevel and Bettie were taken into custody. Paramedics transported Bevel to an area hospital, where he was in critical condition.

Investigators consulted with members of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and charges were subsequently filed against Bevel.