Houston Police Department
Fatal Traffic Accident at 5600 Southwest Freeway

April 1, 2014 - Houston police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in the 5600 block of the Southwest Freeway (South U.S. Highway 59) about 3 p.m. on Monday (March 31).

The male victim, 61, was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant G. Lopez and Officer J. Ortiz reported:

The victim was driving a red Jeep Cherokee erratically southbound on the Southwest Freeway. The Jeep then struck a United States Postal Service tractor trailer truck, which then caused both vehicles to slide toward an outside concrete wall. The Cherokee was pinned between the wall and the tractor trailer truck. Both vehicles continued to slide further south until the tractor trailer went over the wall and struck a pole. Both vehicles then burst into flames. The driver of the Cherokee died at the scene. The driver of the trailer truck was transported to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is continuing.

VHS/JKS 4-1-14
Inc. #039089514-Z


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