Police Chase Ends in Fatal Crash and Suspect’s Suicide on West Bellfort Avenue

A police pursuit of a stolen vehicle ended tragically last night with a fatal collision and the suspect’s self-inflicted gunshot wound in the 7300 block of West Bellfort Avenue in the Brays Oaks area. A 43-year-old male driver of another vehicle was killed in the crash.

The identity of the male victim is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. The suspect, believed to be in his 20s, also suffered a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant E. Fendia and Officer Z. Radcliffe, Houston Police Department patrol officers observed a stolen black Dodge Charger and attempted a traffic stop around 8:05 p.m. on Thursday, May 22. The suspect driving the Dodge refused to comply and initiated a pursuit, traveling eastbound on West Bellfort Avenue at a high rate of speed.

During the pursuit, a silver Nissan Pathfinder, traveling westbound on West Bellfort Avenue, attempted to turn across the eastbound lanes. The Dodge Charger struck the Nissan, ejecting its driver. Paramedics transported the Nissan driver to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The suspect’s Dodge Charger came to a stop against a power pole, trapping him inside. As Houston Fire Department personnel and HPD officers attempted to extract him from the vehicle, the suspect produced a firearm and shot himself. Paramedics pronounced him deceased at the scene.

The investigation is continuing.