Suspect arrested after crash, multi-carjacking along I-45; one woman dead

Suspect arrested in after deadly Houston crash, multiple carjackings

A woman is dead, and a suspect is in custody following a violent, multi-scene crime spree that unfolded along several miles of Houston highways Tuesday morning. FOX 26's Sherman Desselle shares information from authorities and reaction from a witness.

HOUSTON - A woman is dead, and a suspect is in custody following a violent, multi-scene crime spree that unfolded along several miles of Houston highways Friday morning, police said.

Suspect arrested for crash, carjacking

What we know:

Houston police responded around 8:29 a.m. to reports of a major crash involving four vehicles near the Gulf Freeway at Park Place. Assistant Chief Adrian Rodriguez said the suspect, driving a white SUV, caused the collision before getting out and firing multiple rounds into the air.

The suspect then allegedly carjacked two separate black SUVs at gunpoint in areas north of the original crash site, including along Woodridge Drive, Rodriguez said. Investigators believe the stolen vehicles were involved in additional crashes or became disabled as the suspect continued north on Interstate 45.

A "be-on-the-lookout" advisory was issued, and a Precinct 1 Constable deputy later located the suspect as he attempted to carjack another vehicle — a white Dodge Ram — along U.S. 59 near the George R. Brown Convention Center. Deputies arrested the suspect at that location.

A woman found inside one of the crashed vehicles at the first scene was pronounced dead. Her identity has not yet been released."

Unfortunately, during the holiday season, it’s going to be tough for their family to deal with this loss," Rodriguez said. "Our hearts go out to this family. We ask Houstonians to pray for this family during this difficult time."

The suspect, who suffered minor injuries, was transported to a hospital. Police say several felony charges are expected.

Witnesses described chaos as the suspect fired shots, tried multiple car doors and fled from vehicle to vehicle. One driver said she watched cars spin out and collide before seeing the suspect run from the crash with a gun in the air."

It was scary — a horror movie," witness Rosalind Scallion said. "He went up to about three or four cars, pulling on the doors. He finally got somebody’s car and went on."

Another witness said she briefly tried to assist the deceased woman before fleeing the scene in fear that the gunman would return.

Police said feeder roads near the initial collision will remain closed for an extended period as the vehicular crimes unit processes evidence and reconstructs the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.

What we don't know:

The identity of the woman who was killed and the suspect have not been released.

It is unclear what caused the initial crash.