April 5, 2023 - Houston police are investigating a fatal crash at 12800 Whittington Drive about noon on Monday (April 3).

The identity of the deceased male is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant D. Hall and Officer A. Mares reported:

HPD Westside Patrol officers were flagged down regarding the possible location of a Kia Optima that was reported stolen. The Kia was observed in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 2310 Crescent Park Drive parked next to a black Kia. That vehicle was also determined as being stolen. Officers initiated a surveillance operation on both vehicles.

A short time later, a male was seen entering the black Kia and leaving the apartment complex. HPD patrol vehicles attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the Kia, but the driver refused to stop and began to evade. Officers then activated their emergency equipment and initiated a vehicle pursuit. Officers attempted Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuvers and, on the third attempt, the KIA rotated and struck a tree in the 12600 block of Whittington Drive. Officers immediately extracted the driver and provided medical assistance until Houston Fire Department paramedics arrived.

The driver, 18, was transported via Life Flight helicopter to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased on Tuesday (April 4).

The investigation is continuing.