HOUSTON – Authorities say two people are dead after the suspected drunk, speeding driver of their car crashed into a forklift on Houston’s south side Thursday night.
According to the Houston Police Department, the crash took place in the 2700 block of Bellfort Road, west of SH-288, at around 6:38 p.m.
HPD Lt. Larry Crowson said a forklift driver was traveling back and forth between two big pipe yards located on both sides of Bellfort. At the same time, a Ford Expedition, with four occupants inside, was heading in its direction.
The SUV driver, traveling in excess of 70 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone, slammed into the forklift, police said.
Two passengers inside the SUV were killed on impact. Another was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
“We see dead bodies on the roads. It’s a pretty rare occurrence where we see three potentially die in a crash. So we’re working this, as we do all these fatalities, with every bit of care,” Sean Teare, chief of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division, said.
The SUV driver admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel and open containers were found inside the vehicle, police said.
He is expected to be charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault, Teare said. Those charges could be upgraded if the third passenger dies.
Investigators believe they know where the driver was served alcohol, and part of the investigation will look at any potential punishment for the establishment or charges against the server, Teare said.
The forklift driver, who survived the horrific crash, was not believed to be at any fault.
Southwest and VCD officers are investigating a double fatal crash 2700 Bellfort. DWI officers are assisting in the investigation. 202 pic.twitter.com/jEMVy8tPSz
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) February 10, 2023