HOUSTON – An innocent bystander who was killed in a crash after police tried to stop car theft suspects in southeast Houston was the mother of a sergeant with the Houston Police Department, authorities confirmed.
The crash happened on Van Fleet at Martin Luther King Boulevard at around 10:20 a.m.
“A short time ago, I met with the sergeant who, as you might expect, is in a state of shock,” HPD Chief Troy Finner said in a statement. “I ask our city to pray for him and members of his family as we seek justice in this incident.”
Finner said the sergeant, whose name is Ricky Collins, and his family have requested privacy at this time. Collins thanked the community for the support and prayers his family has received in the loss of his mom, who was identified as 75-year-old Gloria Collins. Details for her funeral are currently pending, HPD said.
UPDATE: Sergeant Ricky Collins wants to thank the community for the outpouring of support & prayers on the passing of his mom, Gloria Collins, 75.
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) September 13, 2023
The family asks for continued privacy as funeral arrangements for Ms. Collins are pending. Please keep the family in your prayers. https://t.co/xRKZFHbDZb
What happened
On Wednesday, around 8 p.m., HPD responded to reports of a car robbery in the 8400 block of Monroe. According to investigators, a woman had been robbed by two suspects, who were identified as 18-year-old Trenton Bevel and 21-year-old Kerrick Chancellor Bettie. KPRC 2’s Re’Chelle Turner spoke to Cathleen Hill, who said the suspects pointed a gun at her.
“They put a gun up to my head and the other one was on my arm with a laser. They said profanity and said, ‘Give me your car,’” she said.
The next day, the woman contacted her car dealership, requesting them to track her missing vehicle. When the woman received the location, she called the police again, telling them that she had tracked her vehicle, and it was located in the 7800 block of Jutland.
A little after 10 a.m., officers responded to the area and spotted the vehicle at Jutland and Bellfort. A pursuit then ensued.
Officers said they quickly lost sight of the vehicle due to the suspects’ high rate of speed.
The suspects continued, eventually crashing into two vehicles that were stopped at a red light and hitting an innocent bystander on MLK.
Hill said she was in shock.
“My car can be replaced. I just got it three weeks ago, so I have insurance. That woman’s life is gone all because these young dudes wanted to take a joy ride,” she said.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and the drivers of the two vehicles were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“The suspects had no regard for anybody and it’s very sad. It’s sad for everybody,” Chief Troy Finner said.
The two suspects, who were in their 20s, were also transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Chief Troy Finner said he plans to discuss policies regarding police pursuits and how officers handle the situation.
“From this scene right now today, it’s not a policy issue and everybody in the criminal justice system is going have to take an active role to do their part getting suspects in jail who need to be in jail. But also, from a legislative standpoint, making sure we understand the seriousness of people fleeing from the police,” he said.
Chief Finner said he asked the district attorney’s office to accept charges for murder.