Suspected drunk driver kills teen leaving prom
HOUSTON -- The lives of two prom-goers were suddenly changed overnight by a suspected drunk driver.
In an instant, a teenage girl's life ended at the intersection of the North Freeway feeder road at East Tidwell Road in Houston, Texas. Another teen was injured in the crash.
Houston Police say the crash happened around 1 a.m. after officers with a special ops DWI unit saw a pickup truck driver make a U-turn and go over a curb.
When officers tried pulling over the pickup truck, the driver allegedly sped off.
Investigators say the driver went over several curbs at a high rate of speed, dangerously hauling through a parking lot.
The driver allegedly ran a red light at the intersection at East Tidwell Road, smashing the truck into a Dodge Charger. Inside were the two prom-goers who had just finished a night of music and dancing with classmates.
Police say the teen who died in this accident was the passenger of the Dodge Charger. The teen driver of that vehicle is in surgery, but is said to be doing better this morning.
Witness Michael Johnson said he heard the crash and said it sounded like a boom.
"Just feeling sorry for her family, what they have got to go through," said Michael Johnson, a witness.
The victim who died was a student at KIPP Academy, according to her family. Both had just left a IHOP restaurant when they were involved in this terrible wreck.
The suspect in the pickup truck only had minor injuries, and was treated at a hospital.
