Who was charged with murder after the Houston crash?

Ruben Mendoza, an 18-year-old, has been charged with murder.

What caused the fatal crash in southeast Houston?

A police chase led to the crash when the suspect's vehicle lost control and hit a tree.

How many people were in the car during the chase?

There were two people in the vehicle: the driver, Ruben Mendoza, and a passenger who died.

Home / Crime and Justice / 18-Year-Old Faces Murder Charge After Chase Ends in Fatal Crash

18-Year-Old Faces Murder Charge After Chase Ends in Fatal Crash

14 Dec

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Summary

An 18-year-old is charged with murder following a police chase.
A passenger in the suspect's vehicle died in the resulting crash.
The chase ended when the car went airborne and crashed sideways.

18-Year-Old Faces Murder Charge After Chase Ends in Fatal Crash

An 18-year-old, identified as Ruben Mendoza, faces a murder charge after allegedly leading deputies on a high-speed chase that resulted in a fatal crash. The incident occurred on Saturday morning in southeast Houston. Mendoza was reportedly driving a blue Dodge Charger when he fled from Harris County Precinct 2 Constable deputies, with the pursuit spanning the Gulf Freeway before concluding disastrously at the intersection of Almeda, Genoa, and Clearwood.

According to police reports, the vehicle went airborne over a dip in the intersection at a high rate of speed, subsequently losing control and crashing sideways on the driver's side into a tree. Tragically, a passenger in the vehicle sustained fatal injuries. While Mendoza was found alive, the passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. A family member of the deceased passenger has been notified, with authorities emphasizing the sorrowful timing of the event so close to Christmas.