Criminal charges were filed against a 23-year-old man in connection to the Friday morning car crash that killed a Harris County constable’s deputy and her daughter. The man, who appeared to be impaired at the time of the deadly crash, was arrested, according to the Houston Police Department.
The crash that involved three vehicles happened on Interstate 10 around 3 a.m. Friday, Houston Police Department Assistant Chief Adrian Rodriguez said.
Katherine Hutson, 46, was an 18-year-old veteran of the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office. She was killed along with her daughter, Kacey, according to Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap.
Hutson was working extra employment duties Friday morning, providing a police presence for road improvements, according to an email from the constable’s office, which said Hutson’s vehicle was struck from behind.
The incident is being investigated by the Houston Police Department, while possible criminal charges are being pursued by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
The crash in the 6500 block of the westbound Katy Freeway shut down the highway for several hours Friday morning. A man who was involved in the crash remained on the scene while cooperating with a preliminary investigation, Rodriguez said.
That man, driving a gray Mazda, allegedly struck a vehicle and a stationary TxDOT utility truck on the highway. A passenger in the vehicle was transported to a nearby hospital.
Rodriguez said during a news conference after the crash that the child who died was between 8 and 10 years of age.
“It was a bad accident and the fire was intense,” Rodriguez said. “Unfortunately, we had two fatalities involved in this scene so I do ask Houstonians to please pray for these families, especially with the holidays coming up. This is a very tragic scene that we have and our hearts and prayers go out to the individuals that were lost and their family members that are going to have to deal with this tragic scene.”
