Baytown: Two kids pronounced dead after crash involving officer, police say
Baytown: Two children die one week after crash involving police officer
Two children have died following a crash in Baytown that involved an officer, according to Baytown PD. FOX 26's Tan Radford gives the backstory on the crash.
BAYTOWN, Texas - Two children have died following a crash in Baytown that involved an officer, according to Baytown PD.
Baytown crash involving officer
The backstory:
On Oct. 23 at around 7:10 p.m., units of the Baytown Police Department were called to the intersection of West Baker Road and Country Club Drive. When they arrived, they learned an on-duty officer in a marked patrol vehicle was involved in a crash with a 2023 Honda Odyssey.
The officer injured his leg in the crash and was taken by Life Flight for medical treatment, officials said. He has since been released.
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On-duty Baytown officer, 5 children injured in crash, officials say
A crash involving a Baytown police officer and a vehicle carrying five children is being investigated, officials report.
According to Baytown police, a woman was driving the Odyssey with five minors as passengers. Two of the kids were taken by Life Flight to a nearby hospital. The woman and the three other kids were treated at the scene.
Baytown officers who responded to the crash immediately provided life-saving measures until Baytown EMS arrived, reports say.
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Baytown crash: First update
Baytown Police have released more details of the major crash that injured an officer, a woman, and five children last Thursday. Meanwhile, community members are supporting the family involved in the crash.
In their first update, Baytown PD said Officer Michael Hightower, a two-and-a-half-year veteran with the department, was going to assist with a weapons call when the crash happened. Allegedly, witness statements and in-car video determined Officer Hightower had a green light and the right of way.
Latest information
What we know:
In a second update, Baytown PD confirmed that two of the children involved in the crash have been pronounced deceased.
Two other siblings from the crash are said to still be in critical condition.
What we don't know:
Police are not naming the family, but they say the children who passed away were eight and ten years old.
What they're saying:
Community supports Russel family
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Baytown rallies around family injured in crash
Five children are injured after a crash involving a Baytown Police Officer. Baytown Little League is supporting the family with a raffle fundraiser.
The Baytown community is coming together to support the Russell family who were involved in the crash that left their five children seriously injured.
On Oct. 28, a family friend told FOX 26 that the two boys, ages 8 and 10, have no brain activity, while their three sisters — ages 16, 14, and 3 — remain hospitalized with injuries.
As the investigation continues, Baytown Little League is stepping up to help. The league has organized a raffle fundraiser to raise money for the Russells during this difficult time.
"It just hits so close to home when it’s so close in the community, and you know these people," said Lily Sharp of Baytown Little League. "They are such a big family, and a lot of people know them and what they’ve done for the community. It’s shaken everyone up pretty badly."
Another fundraiser has already raised almost $50,000 for the family.
The Source: Baytown Police Department and previous FOX 26 reporting.