Two men who were killed in an early morning car crash Saturday have been identified as visitors to Houston attending fraternity and sorority events.
They died when their white Lexus was broadsided by a Ford F-150 pickup driven by a man who's now charged with murder in connection with the accident.
Harris County Precinct 7 Constable James "Smokie" Phillips said Monday afternoon that one of his deputies, sitting a parking lot along Smith St. in Downtown Houston about 2:15 am Saturday when she saw the truck barreling down Smith hitting two cars and continuing down the road.
"The deputy was sitting in a parking lot and observed the driver hit two vehicles. He moved from the curb to the roadway, then struck a vehicle when he moved into the roadway, then struck another vehicle," Phillips said.
The deputy chased the pickup for a few blocks before the F-150 t-boned a white Lexus on Elgin, a cross street, spinning the car into a nearby building, where it caught fire, killing both inside.
The driver of the pickup is identified as Renee Hernandez, 21, believed to be from Florida, Constable Phillips said.
The deputy who caught up with Hernandez at the crash scene said he smelled like alcohol after getting out of the truck.
A woman who was sitting the truck's passenger seat was taken to a hospital with what were said to have been minor injuries. No charges have been filed against her.
Phillips said Hernandez is charged with murder because he was being pursued when his truck hit the Lexus, was speeding and failed to stop at several crash scenes.
"He's in a hospital, in custody, he had to have surgery due to a injury caused by this collision. Once he's released from the hospital he'll be transferred to the Harris County jail," Phillips added.
"Let this serve as a stark reminder that we must do everything possible to ensure the prevention of future tragedies such as this, and ensure our roads are safe for everyone."