Traffic Incident at 8200 LaPorte Freeway

February 4, 2007 -- Houston police are investigating a fatal traffic accident at 8200 LaPorte Freeway about 2:45 a.m. today (Feb. 4).

The victim, identified as Martin Pina Cortez Jr., 20, of Edinburg suffered severe head and internal injuries and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he died. The cause of death is pending an autopsy by the Harris County Medical Examiner's office.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant E. Gonzalez and Officer R. Chappell reported:

Mr. Cortez and several people were involved in a minor accident at Monroe and the Gulf Freeway that led to an altercation involving shots being fired from a third vehicle. All vehicles became involved in a chase that ended in the 8200 block of the LaPorte Freeway where two of the vehicles collided, including the pickup truck in which Cortez was riding, causing that pickup to overturn. Cortez was thrown from the bed of the overturned pickup truck.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

The investigation is continuing.

NJM 2/4/07
Inc #17313407

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.