Driver killed after car split in half, caught fire during crash near downtown Houston

HOUSTON – A woman is dead after police say she crashed her car into a tree near downtown overnight Wednesday, causing it to split in half before catching fire.

It happened a little before 2:30 a.m. on Memorial Dr. near Sawyer St. exit when officers say an unidentified woman speeding in her car, crashed sideways into a tree, splitting the vehicle in half.

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Authorities say the woman was ejected from her car due to the crash’s impact and passersby tried helping her before law enforcement and first responders arrived. She was later confirmed to have died from her injuries.

Currently, investigators don’t suspect the driver to be under the influence, but medical examiners are expected to do a toxicology report to find out for sure.

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As a result of the crash, the roadways, authorities said, would remain closed until about 6 a.m. while crews work to investigate the scene and clean up the wreckage.