Suspect Charged with Intoxication Manslaughter in Fatal Eastex Freeway Crash

Houston police have arrested and charged 26-year-old Brandon Lynn Plattenburg in connection with a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred on the Eastex Freeway on Friday night.

Plattenburg is charged with intoxication manslaughter in the 174th State District Court.

The identity of the male victim who died in the crash is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

According to the Houston Police Department’s Vehicular Crimes Division, Sergeant J. Richards and Officer J. Johnson reported that Plattenburg was driving a gray Dodge Ram 1500 northbound on the Eastex Freeway near the 3000 block when he lost control of the truck and struck the left retaining wall at approximately 10 p.m. on May 9th.

After hitting the wall, the Dodge Ram spun around, facing southbound, and subsequently caught fire. Plattenburg was able to exit the vehicle, but the passenger was trapped inside. Houston Fire Department paramedics who responded to the scene pronounced the passenger deceased.

Plattenburg was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Further investigation determined that Plattenburg was intoxicated at the time of the crash, leading to the intoxication manslaughter charge.