A Harris County grand jury has indicted Baytown Police Officer Michael Hightower for the October crash that killed two children of a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy.
Court records obtained by KPRC 2 News show that Hightower, 28, is facing three felony charges, including two counts of manslaughter and one aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. The latter charge stems from an injury someone received in the crash.
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According to the indictments, Hightower allegedly operated the vehicle at a high rate of speed and/or failed to activate emergency lights and/or failed to activate emergency sirens and/or failed to operate a vehicle with the appropriate regard to a person’s safety or property and/or any combination of those acts.
The crash happened Oct. 23 at the intersection of West Baker Road and Country Club Drive at around 7:10 p.m.
Five children were in the car driven by a Baytown woman. Two of the children in the 2023 Honda Odyssey minivan had to be flown to the hospital.
Records show Hightower was indicted on Friday and posted a $150,000 total bond on Monday.
According to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement records, Hightower has been with Baytown PD since Jan. 2024.
In an initial statement after the crash, Baytown PD said the preliminary findings showed that Hightower had a green light and the right of way at the intersection while he was responding to an in-progress “persons with a weapon” call.
Monday, Baytown PD clarified that the statement above was based on information that was available in the early stages of the investigation. The department added that the investigation has concluded and the matter is now part of the judicial process.
Here is the statement first provided:
“We are aware that a Harris County Grand Jury returned indictments against Officer Michael Hightower, which includes two charges of Manslaughter and one charge of Aggravated Assault. Officer Hightower turned himself in to the court today, December 15, 2025, and is cooperating fully with the legal process. He remains on medical leave due to his injuries. At this time, all inquiries regarding the charges or criminal proceedings should be directed to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. We will provide additional updates as appropriate and in accordance with the legal process.”
KPRC 2 News has reached out to Hightower’s defense attorney for a comment.