An Alleged Drunk North Houston Driver Crashes, Kills Passenger

An early Sunday morning two-car crash in Harris County resulted in a passenger’s death and minor injuries for the occupants of the second vehicle. The fatal north Houston accident occurred just after midnight on Nov. 5 near the intersection of Airway Drive and Airline Drive.

Harris County deputies have said that witnesses reported having seen the driver of a Nissan Altima driving southbound at an excessive rate of speed along Airline Drive immediately prior to the crash. Soon thereafter, they noted that he appeared to lose control of his vehicle. It’s then that he was seen entering the northbound lanes of that roadway before crashing head-on with an oncoming pickup truck.

By the time paramedics arrived at the crash scene, the passenger of the Altima had already succumbed to his injuries. The driver of that sedan had apparently suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash as well. He was transported by helicopter to Memorial Herman Hospital where he was listed as being in serious condition.

Both of the occupants of the pickup were reported as having suffered only minor injuries. They were also transported by ambulance to the hosptial.

A spokesperson for the Harris County Sheriff’s Department noted that investigators suspect that the Nissan’s driver may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. They noted that they intended to have the man submit to toxicology testing once admitted to the hospital.

They also said that, if he was found to have been either drunk at the time of the crash, then they fully intended to charge him with manslaughter for his passenger’s death.

In instances in which a motorist is determined to be negligent for causing another’s injuries, he or she may be able to be held responsible for medical bills, funeral costs and other expenses their victims accumulate. In discussing your case with a Houston car accident attorney, he or she can advise you of your right to wage an injury claim in your own case.

Source: Click 2 Houston, “Deputies investigating deadly crash in north Houston,” Nov. 05, 2017