Mother and Infant Die in Channelview Water Accident Following Possible Medical Emergency

On Friday, April 25, 2025, at approximately 4:44 PM, a tragic accident occurred in the 17300 block of Market Street when a driver experienced a possible medical emergency, resulting in two fatalities.

According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Vehicular Crimes Division, Crystal Njepu was driving a 2020 Kia Telluride westbound when she suffered a possible medical event. This caused her vehicle to leave the roadway and enter a gravel area on the south side. The vehicle stopped abruptly for about a minute before accelerating forward into a grassy area and then into the water.

The Kia Telluride sank rapidly and was also pulled by the current under a nearby bridge. A witness who stopped to assist bravely entered the water and managed to break the back window of the vehicle. This action allowed the witness to rescue the front passenger and a back left passenger from the sinking car.

Tragically, the driver, 39-year-old Crystal Njepu, was found unresponsive and was declared deceased by EMS at the scene. Upon extracting the vehicle from the water, a juvenile female (1 year old) was discovered in the back right passenger seat and also showed no signs of life.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Vehicular Crimes Division, is actively investigating this incident.