HOUSTON – Texas state lawmakers are considering a bill that families of murder victims say would have helped them get justice faster in their unsolved cases.
House Bill 2621, introduced by Republican Rep. Morgan Meyer, would require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to archive footage for 30 days in the 25 Texas cities that have live video capabilities.
The videos would be confidential and exempt from public disclosure, according to the proposed legislation, and only made accessible to law enforcement if needed during a criminal investigation.
“These cameras are already in place. And if they can help solve these unsolved crimes that take away loved ones, it is necessary that we do it,” Rep. Meyer told the House Transportation Committee when laying out the bill on Thursday morning.
Justice for Louise Wilson and change in Austin
Louise Wilson was 17 years old when a violent act on Houston’s Pierce Elevated portion of I-45 took it all away.
On Sunday, December 10, 2023, Wilson was driving with friends to Galveston to watch the sunrise a road trip meant to be joyful, but it turned tragic on I-45 around 1 a.m. According to investigators, she may have accidentally cut off another driver when a dark-colored sedan pulled alongside her car and opened fire.
Wilson was shot behind the wheel but still managed to steer the vehicle safely onto the shoulder, preventing further injury to her passengers. She died shortly after, and her boyfriend was wounded in the attack.
The push for TxDOT recordings
Now, her parents are turning their grief into action.
Daniel and Krista Wilson traveled from their home in Whitney, Texas, to Austin, where they testified in support of HB 2621.
“17 years, 18 hours, 1,648 feet. These are the numbers I want to talk to you about today,” Daniel Wilson told lawmakers. “1,648 (feet). That was the distance to the nearest TxDOT camera where my daughter drew her last breath. Yet TxDOT could only watch as the killer’s car drove by. No recording was captured and crucial evidence was lost.”
Had this bill already been law, Wilson’s parents believe the person who killed their daughter might have been caught already.
Currently, Houston traffic cameras are used to monitor traffic but do not record or store video. Many argue this leaves both law enforcement and families powerless in the aftermath of tragedies like Louise Wilson’s.
“While current state camera systems are not designed for high-resolution evidence gathering, there is no reason why the footage cannot be recorded and made available to law enforcement,” Daniel Wilson said. “Captured footage could be pivotal in solving cases, securing convictions, and preventing further tragedies.”
Houston leads the country in road rage shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive. It’s a statistic in a city known for innovation, diversity, and now, a rising tide of road rage incidents.
“There are commissioners in Harris County that do spend money for automatic license plate readers... We want this to be an additional tool,” said Daniel Wilson. “People like the one that killed our daughter could have been brought to justice. It could have been a matter of days.”
As the Wilson family advocates for change, the loss feels even heavier with just three weeks until what would have been Louise Wilson’s 19th birthday. “She (is) a daughter that won’t get married, a daughter that won’t have another birthday,” Daniel Wilson said, his voice heavy with emotion.
“Despite the unimaginable grief, I take solace in the fact that Louise’s last act was one of heroism. She wanted to help people, and her last act did just that—she saved lives.”
Now, the Wilsons are determined to channel their sorrow into action. They know their daughter’s case reflects a much broader issue that affects families across Texas.
“There are families just like us all across Texas. They deserve a system that helps—not one that fails them after the fact,” Daniel Wilson said.
Another murder victim’s widow testified to state lawmakers Thursday.
Chris Murzin died on I-20 in Dallas in early February of 2021 and his case remains unsolved.
“Despite happening in broad daylight, the location itself, a Texas highway, became the greatest obstacle to finding justice for Chris,” his widow, Christina Murzin, said.
Law enforcement also supports the bill.
“Nothing is more frustrating than not having the tools you need to solve a crime,” said Jennifer Szimanski, the deputy executive director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas.
But not all are in favor.
In one public comment posted online about the bill, someone wrote, “This is NOT what we want unleashed in Texas. ... This is rife for abuse and weaponization of government against its own citizens.”
But for families still seeking justice, Daniel Wilson hopes the law will equip law enforcement with the tools they need to hold offenders accountable.
READ - Family pleas for killer to be caught after teen girl dies in road rage shooting in downtown Houston
“Let us give law enforcement the tools they need to hold offenders accountable—and provide families like mine with a path forward toward justice,” he said.
Through their efforts, the Wilsons are grateful for the support they’ve received, whether through people spreading Louise’s story or offering tips on the case.
“We’re just thankful for everybody who supports us... who spreads the word and keeps Louise’s story alive,” Daniel Wilson said.
According to TxDOT, the measure is estimated to cost $42.8 million over a five-year period beginning in fiscal year 2026.
The House Transportation Committee is expected to approve the bill on Friday. The bill will still need a full House vote before it goes to the Senate and if approved, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.
