Uber Driver Killed During Police Chase

HOUSTON, TX — An Uber driver was killed in a tragic accident after he was caught in the middle of a police chase.

According to KTXS, shortly before 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, a Harris County deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 17-year-old driver on Katy Freeway.

Instead of obliging with the officer, the teen sped off and a high-speed chase began. In the middle of the freeway, the teen made a U-turn and began driving eastbound in the westbound lanes.

The suspect then tried to enter the entrance ramp onto the main freeway where he cut off the Uber driver. The Uber driver was able to stop and avoid a collision, but the deputy was unable to stop in time.

The deputy’s vehicle then slammed into the back end of Uber and the Uber Driver later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.

"When our deputies reached him, they found he was unresponsive, deputies began CPR until EMS and they took over. He was then transported to Katy Memorial, where he was deceased,” said Jesse Razo, Major for the Harris County Sheriff's Office. “The Uber did have a passenger. The passenger suffered minor injuries and he was transported to an area hospital. The deputy was injured as well with minor injuries and he was also transported to the hospital.”

The teen suspect then ran across the freeway and made his way to the Children’s Hospital parking lot. He was stopped by a security guard and officers with Houston PD were able to arrest him.

According to Razo, the teen suspect was out on bond for a felony charge. Authorities believe alcohol was a factor in the incident.

"We have way way too many pursuits that end tragically, and the easy way, the only way to stop that is to stop. When law enforcement turns on their lights, asks you to stop, it's a command: Stop. If you don't, this is a perfect example of an individual who was being stopped for traffic, we are talking about a ticket,” said Sean Teare Chief of the Harris County VA's Office Vehicular Division. “He is now potentially facing a felony murder charge. First degree, life in prison. The difference is a $500 fine or never getting out of jail for simply not wanting to stop when he was supposed to.”