Driver Fleeing Police Kills 2 Women Crossing US-59

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — Two women were killed Sunday night when they were struck by a vehicle fleeing from Houston police officers on U.S. 59, also known as Interstate 69, in Montgomery County.

The fatal crash occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. near the intersection of F.M. 1314. According to preliminary reports from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the two pedestrians were attempting to cross the busy highway on foot when they were struck by a suspect vehicle involved in an active police pursuit.

The driver of the vehicle, identified only as a male suspect, had been fleeing from Houston Police Department (HPD) officers following an alleged shoplifting incident at an Old Navy location in Houston. The pursuit spanned several miles before ending abruptly in the fatal collision.

Emergency responders arrived shortly after the impact, but both women were pronounced dead at the scene. The identities of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.

The driver was taken into custody at the crash site. He faces multiple felony charges, which are expected to include evading arrest resulting in death and potentially aggravated charges related to the incident.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is assisting DPS troopers with the crash investigation. Traffic on the northbound lanes of U.S. 59 was shut down for several hours Sunday night as investigators reconstructed the scene and cleared the wreckage.

This incident marks the latest in a series of high-profile pursuits in the Greater Houston area that have ended in civilian casualties. The Texas Department of Public Safety typically leads investigations involving multi-jurisdictional pursuits that result in fatalities.

Officials are urging anyone with information regarding the incident or who may have witnessed the pursuit to contact the DPS regional office or the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 936-760-5800.

Updates regarding the identities of the victims and the formal charges filed against the suspect will be released by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office once the investigation concludes.