HOUSTON – A driver has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after a crash in southwest Houston left three people dead.
This happened near West Orem and Almeda just after 1 a.m. Sunday.
Police said Tony Jerome Oliver was driving a gray Chrysler 300 southbound when he ran a red light. His car hit a white Buick Enclave traveling eastbound on West Orem through a green light, T‑boning the vehicle, which had its headlights off. The impact triggered a chain-reaction collision that struck three other vehicles stopped at the intersection.
Three people inside the white Buick were killed. Two were pronounced dead at the scene; a third, who was ejected from the vehicle, later died at a hospital. The driver of the Chrysler was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition; police say his blood alcohol level was well over the legal limit.
Houston police have upgraded the driver’s charge from DWI to intoxication manslaughter after investigators reviewed surveillance video and toxicology results. Authorities say the video shows the Chrysler driving without headlights before running the red light.
“We want to keep the streets of Houston safe,” a police official said. “There are ride-share options and other safe ways to get home. If you plan to drink, make sure you have a safe ride, so you don’t put other people at risk,” said HPD SGT. Rebecca Dallas.
Police continue to investigate the crash. They are asking anyone with information or additional video of the incident to contact Houston Police.