HOUSTON – Police said a woman driving with a 2-year-old in her car Monday morning in west Houston claims she blacked out before hitting a 70-year-old woman.
The incident happened in the 13100 block of Kimberley Lane near Brittmoore Road in the Memorial area.
Authorities said the 70-year-old was walking with a friend when it happened around 7 a.m. Investigators said the 70-year-old woman and had run left to try and avoid the vehicle when the vehicle swerved her way and hit her.
“At which point [the driver] took down the sign. She crossed over, took down the stop sign," Sean Teare, an official with the Harris County DA’s office said.
Neighbor Victor Guo woke up to a loud sound and found the victim in his yard. He gave her CPR.
“I know we got the coronavirus going on here, but it’s just common decency to help the best you can, so that was the only thing that was going through my head," Guo said.
The 70-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Neighbors were shocked and saddened by what happened.
“It could have happened to anyone," Guo said.
Investigators said preliminary findings show no evidence of intoxication, however, Teare said it is still early in the investigation and more tests need to be completed including an analysis of the driver’s blood. Teare said the 2-year-old was not harmed and was given to other family members. The driver is cooperating and was also OK.
Neighbors identified the woman who died as Carol Ansel, a beloved, retired elementary school teacher from Rummel Elementary who was taking a routine morning walk.
More about beloved, retired teacher Carol Ansel
Neighbors said Ansel was a first-grade teacher for many years. Her students still remember the impact she had on them to this day, they said. On Monday when news broke, the community was devastated.
Joni Holder was heartbroken to see what happened to her dear friend. Holder said Ansel and her friend would take their routine walk almost every morning, around the same time.
“Every day is a gift,” Joni Holder, a neighbor and friend said. “They walk every day almost. They walk in front of my house, and they’re always checking on me.”
Holder said Ansel gave her heart to everyone.
“She just always, always pitched in if there was something wrong, and she was loved as a dear, dear friend,” she said.