The driver of a vehicle involved in a police pursuit has been charged with two counts with murder after his car struck another vehicle and caused a fiery crash.
At around 2:13 a.m. Saturday morning, deputies with Harris County Pct. 7 observed a black F-150 strike several vehicles without stopping in the 2700 block of Smith Street.
When they attempted to stop the truck, the driver took off at a high rate of speed, running several red lights.
At the intersection of Elgin and Smith streets, the suspect’s truck ran a red light and collided with a white Lexus traveling eastbound. The Lexus spun out, hit a building and caught fire.
Both occupants of the Lexus were pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspected driver, 21-year-old Rene Hernandez, was taken into custody. Authorities said he had a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech when he was apprehended.
Hernandez has been charged with two counts of murder, because the deaths occurred during the commission of a felony.
A female passenger who was in the suspect’s vehicle suffered non-incapacitating injuries and was hospitalized.
No other injuries were reported, though additional vehicles were struck between the initial crash and the final scene.
Breaking News Alerts
More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.