HOUSTON, Texas – A female suspect is on the run after a deputy-involved pursuit in west Houston ended in a fatal multi-vehicle crash early Sunday morning, according to Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Bismark Asare, a 40-year-old rideshare driver, died after being struck by the deputy’s patrol car.
Initially, Harris County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male, who suffered non-threatening injuries, and was in custody after being detained in the parking lot of Texas Children’s Hospital.
However, later investigators said the male was a passenger in the vehicle while the female driver was still on the run. Investigators said both the driver and the passenger fled the scene after the crash, failing to render aid.
The female is believed to have entered a Jeep, possibly black and white in color, and fled the area. Investigators said they are actively searching for her.
We're investigating a fatal crash that was caused by a suspect who refused to stop for a patrol deputy and instead led officers on a brief chase along the Katy Freeway early Sunday morning. Press release: https://t.co/uiQ6ABFu4c. #hounews pic.twitter.com/1fqGdQtoFa
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) August 2, 2020
The chase began around 1:30 a.m. when a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop in a westbound lane of Katy Freeway. Investigators said a deputy observed a man and woman involved in an apparent dispute in a parking lot near Fry Road.
The man and woman then got into a 2019 gray Chrysler 300 and left the parking lot with the deputy following as they traveled westbound and then eastbound on the Katy Freeway service road, according to HCSO.
The driver of the Chrysler then stopped on the road and then began traveling at about 90 mph in a 50 mph zone. The deputy activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused and the pursuit began, investigators said.
At some point during the pursuit, the suspect vehicle made a U-turn at Greenhouse Road, drove eastbound on the feeder roads of the Katy Freeway and attempted to get back on the freeway.
As the suspect vehicle attempted to enter the freeway, the driver maneuvered around the rideshare’s vehicle, who was also attempting to enter the freeway. At this moment, the patrol car rear-ended the rideshare vehicle.
After the crash, the patrol vehicle went off into the treeline. While the rideshare vehicle came to rest on the side of the freeway. The suspect’s vehicle came to rest on the freeway entrance ramp, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects then exited the vehicle and fled the scene, running across the main lanes of the freeway. Shortly after, an off-duty deputy took the male passenger, initially identified as the driver, into custody at the hospital nearby, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators initially reported the 17-year-old male was out on bond for a felony charge.
The rideshare driver was transported to Katy Memorial where he was later pronounced dead, investigators said.
At the time of the crash, the rideshare driver had a passenger, who suffered minor injuries in the crash and was transported to an area hospital.
The deputy involved in the pursuit also suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
Investigators said they believe alcohol was a factor in the incident, and the driver could face felony charges, including failure to stop and render aid.
The case is under investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crime Division as well as the Harris County District Attorney’s Office vehicular crime division.