Houston Man Charged With Murder After Fatal Crash Leaves Woman Dead, Child Injured
HOUSTON, Texas – Houston police have arrested a man charged with murder following a fatal overnight crash on the West Sam Houston Parkway South service road that killed a woman and injured a child.
According to the Houston Police Department Vehicular Crimes Division, the crash occurred around 1 a.m. near the 4400 block of West Sam Houston Parkway South service road.
Investigators said a white Chevrolet 2500 traveling southbound failed to stop at a traffic light and struck a red Mitsubishi Mirage traveling eastbound on Clay Road, which had the right of way.
Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced the 42-year-old female driver of the Mitsubishi dead at the scene. A 3-year-old boy riding in the back seat was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
Police identified the suspect driver as Manuel Neri Mendoza, 37. Authorities said Mendoza attempted to flee the scene but was detained nearby by responding patrol officers. Investigators determined he was impaired at the time of the crash.
Mendoza has been charged with murder and booked into custody. The identity of the deceased woman is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
