Driver charged after 2 children injured during crash in SW Houston, police say

HOUSTON – A 25-year-old man accused of injuring two children during a crash Tuesday has been identified and charged, according to officials. Forrest Burgess is now facing charges of aggravated assault of a family member and felon in possession of a weapon.

According to officials, Burgess is accused of driving at a high rate of speed down the highway minutes before the crash in southwest Houston. Burgess and both children, who were not properly restrained, remain in the officials.

Burgess’ criminal record dates back to 2013 and includes charges of theft, assault and evading arrest.

Investigators said the crash happened about 10 a.m. in the 5000 block of South Braeswood near South Rice. Police said an officer with a radar gun spotted the driver of a silver Mercedes SUV going extremely fast down the 610 loop around by the South Braeswood exit.

“The radar clocked him in nearly, approximately at 100 miles per hour,” said Asst. Chief Ben Tien.

Tien said the officer tried to catch up to the SUV but it already exited on S. Braeswood exit.

Minutes later received a call about a vehicle matching the same description crashing into a tree near S. Rice.

The driver and a three-year-old child suffered non-life-threatening injuries. A 1-year-old child is undergoing surgery as they fight for their life.

“You can imagine as a parent right now seeing the damages to the vehicle and the kids one and three getting transported absolutely breaks my heart. It breaks my heart,” Tien said.