The driver of a vehicle involved in a police pursuit has been charged with two counts with murder after his car struck another vehicle and caused a fiery crash.
At around 2:13 a.m. Saturday morning, deputies with Harris County Pct. 7 observed a black F-150 strike several vehicles without stopping in the 2700 block of Smith Street.
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When they attempted to stop the truck, the driver took off at a high rate of speed, running several red lights.
At the intersection of Elgin and Smith streets, the suspect’s truck ran a red light and collided with a white Lexus traveling eastbound. The Lexus spun out, hit a building and caught fire.
Both occupants of the Lexus were pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspected driver, 21-year-old Rene Hernandez, was taken into custody. Authorities said he had a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech when he was apprehended.
Hernandez has been charged with two counts of murder, because the deaths occurred during the commission of a felony.
A female passenger who was in the suspect’s vehicle suffered non-incapacitating injuries and was hospitalized.
No other injuries were reported, though additional vehicles were struck between the initial crash and the final scene.
