HOUSTON – A father accused of abandoning his injured children at the scene of a crash in north Houston has been arrested and is being held without bond, according to court documents.
Terrance Carr is charged with two counts of abandoning a child with imminent danger. Records show he was already out on bond for a previous DWI with a child passenger charge from February.
According to court documents, Carr was driving a Ford Expedition on March 25 when he crashed into a Chevrolet Avalanche near the 5300 block of Yale Street. Witnesses reported the Expedition was traveling around 100 mph in a 35 mph zone when it hit the Avalanche, sending the SUV airborne into a nearby bayou.
FIRST REPORT: Father leaves injured family behind after fleeing crash scene in north Houston
The vehicle carried Carr, a woman and four children, ages 8, 4, 3, and 7 months. Court records said that one child underwent emergency surgery for abdominal injuries and another suffered a collapsed lung.
Witnesses told police they saw Carr crawl out of the wreckage and run from the scene, leaving his injured children behind. One witness reported hearing Carr say, “Get my kids,” before fleeing. Another witness claimed Carr smelled of alcohol and drugs and said, “I’m running” and “I’m wanted.”
According to court records, Carr had been arrested in February for DWI with a child passenger while driving the same Ford Expedition with the same children inside.
Carr is now in the Harris County Jail without bond.
North officers are at a major crash 5300 Yale. Multiple transports, S/B lanes are closed. 202 pic.twitter.com/zJXlJy3hTO
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) March 26, 2025
“I have no idea what was going through his mind at the time, I don’t know if there is some other reason he felt he needed to flee,” said Cpt. Ryan Watson with HPD.
Watson said the injuries are serious, but it appears everyone should survive the crash.
Police say the people in the Avalanche stayed at the scene, showed no signs of impairment, and have cooperated with authorities.