Author Archive

Mustang driver flees scene of collision with minivan on W Dyna

Police believe the driver of a red Ford Mustang who fled the scene of a two car accident last night may have run because he was driving under the influence. Drivers were slowing down along the freeway at W. Dyna to look at a low-rider car showing going on in the parking lot of a shopping center. A gold-colored GMC Safari minivan had slowed down on the feeder when it was rear-ended by the northbound Mustang. That impact pushed the minivan into an electrical pole, snapping it, and then into a water pipe that was also broken in the accident. Channel 13’s report said the driver of the minivan was injured in the accident but nobody else was hurt. Police believe the Mustang driver was drunk: officers at the scene said there were beer bottles in the Mustang. Memorial Day weekend is a no-refusal weekend, meaning whether they want to or not, drivers suspected of driving under the influence will be required to undergo alcohol testing. Injured by a drunk driver and not sure what to do? Smith & Hassler’s experienced personal injury attorneys can help. Call for a no cost case evaluation.

Police are looking for the driver of this Mustang who fled on foot

The driver of this GMC minivan was injured in the rear-end accident

Tire blow out on Ford Expedition causes deadly rollover on Highway 290 near Badtke Road

Sadly a woman and a six month old baby girl have died in a rollover accident following a tire blow out in northwest Harris County today. The crash happened at around 1:00pm on Highway 290 near Badtke Road. According to officials Jose Acosta lost control of the Ford Expedition SUV he was driving after a tire blew out. Witnesses said the rear left tire lost its tread (known as “de-treading”) before blowing out. There were seven people inside the Expedition when it crashed: the woman who died was riding in the front passenger seat. Channel 2’s story is here. Channel 13’s story is here.

A woman and a 6-month old girl died when this Ford Expedition rolled after a rear tire detreaded

Houston family hires Smith and Hassler for major rear end car accident

Smith & Hassler were recently retained by a Houston area father to represent the man and his two young children, ages 5 and 2.  The family were involved in a severe rear-end car accident on a Houston freeway when they were struck from behind by a full-size pickup truck.  The family’s Chevrolet Impala was pushed forward into the vehicle in front of them and is a total loss. If you have been involved in a car accident and need an effective and efficient Houston personal injury firm to help you, you can contact Smith & Hassler any time day or night, or submit your case online for a no charge consultation.

Smith and Hassler represents a father and his two young children involved in a severe rear end collision

Nissan Pathfinder driver flees scene of fatal accident at Fondren and Harwin

A 56-year old man was killed last night in a major hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Harwin Drive and Fondren Road, and police are looking for the female driver who caused the deadly crash.

Houston police say a woman was driving a newer model silver-colored Nissan Pathfinder SUV at around 2:00am last night when she ran a red light at the intersection, t-boning a red pickup truck that was waiting to make a turn on Fondren Road.  The Pathfinder was apparently speeding because the impact was sufficient to shove the red pickup truck through the intersection and flip it onto its roof.

Investigators say the woman driver briefly checked on the 56-year old man who was trapped inside the pickup truck. Instead of helping the man she had just crashed into, the woman and her male passenger fled the scene on foot.  Houston Police Department is confident however that they will be able to identify the woman who was driving the Pathfinder.  Sergeant D. Thomas with HPD told reporters that they have fingerprints lifted from the Pathfinder and also DNA from the driver and passenger side airbags which deployed in the wreck.

Emergency responders tried to save the trapped man inside the pickup truck but he had already died from his injuries.  The name of the man in the pickup truck has not yet been released.

If you have information that may help police identify the driver of the Nissan Pathfinder or her passenger, please call the HPD hit and run unit at 713 247 4065 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713 222 TIPS.  Crash investigators believe the couple in the Nissan Pathfinder fled because they had just left a nearby club and the woman was probably driving while intoxicated. The woman is described as Hispanic and between the ages of 20 and 25.

This is an absolute disgrace: hopefully HPD will get the driver of the Pathfinder quickly identified and in custody. Our sympathies to the friends and family of the victim in the red pickup truck.

Channel 11’s report is here. Channel 13’s report is here. FOX News’ report can be read here. Channel 2’s coverage of the hit-and-run is here.

Fatal accident: minivan hits parked advertising trailer on 610 Loop feeder near Calais Road

Police are investigating the cause of a fatal accident the morning of Thursday May 24th at around 6:00am. According to FOX News’ report, the accident happened on the 610 Loop South feeder near Calais Road. It appears a black minivan crashed into a stationary big rig trailer that was being used in an advertising campaign.

Two seriously injured in car accident at 610 South Loop feeder and Kirby Drive

FOX News is reporting that firefighters had to rescue a driver and a passenger after a major two car accident at the 610 South Loop feeder road and Kirby Drive. The accident happened around 10:30pm on Wednesday May 23rd. The driver and passenger were traveling in a silver car eastbound on the 610 feeder when the silver car passed through a red light, causing a collision with a red SUV heading southbound on Kirby. The silver car was impacted on the driver’s side. The occupants of the silver car were taken to Ben Taub in serious but stable condition. According to the FOX News article, the driver of the red SUV was not hurt.

Each year Smith & Hassler helps hundreds of clients resolve their automobile accident injury claims in Houston and throughout Texas. Google “Smith & Hassler” and read online reviews from former Smith & Hassler clients.

Motorcyclist pulled over on South Freeway killed by suspected drunk driver

It appears the Houston area has lost yet another victim to drunk driving. Channel 13 News is reporting that a motorcyclist pulled over by police was killed last night when another vehicle hit his motorbike. The accident happened around 1:30am on the South Freeway near Yellowstone. An HPD officer pulled over the motorcycle on the feeder road and pulled him over on suspicion of running red lights. The motorcyclist pulled over and stopped at a narrow one lane entrance ramp: that’s when the driver of a blue Chevrolet pickup truck sideswiped the HPD patrol car and struck the motorbike and rider. The motorcycle rider died at the scene. Police say they were about to instruct the motorcyclist to pull over somewhere safer when the crash happened. The driver of the pickup was taken to Ben Taub to be treated for minor injuries: police say his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit for intoxication, so he will face drunk driving charges (probably for intoxication manslaughter). Channel 13’s article states no police officers were injured in the accident.

Joana Jaqueline Rodriguez accused of driving drunk, trying to run down police officer

ABC Channel 13 News is reporting that Joana Jaqueline Rodriguez has been charged with aggravated assault and is accused of driving drunk and trying to run down a police officer with her car when the officer tried to arrest her. On May 20th police were responding to a trespassing call at an apartment complex in the 2200 block of Wirt Road. An officer arrived and reportedly found Ms. Rodriguez intoxicated.  30-year old Ms. Rodriguez got into her vehicle and started the engine, then refused to exit the vehicle when instructed to do so. She was then placed under arrest for public intoxication, and when the officer tried to remove her from the vehicle she put the vehicle in reverse and hit the accelerator. The officer was then pinned between the vehicle door and the passenger compartment as the vehicle traveled in circles.  Police say Rodriguez then put the vehicle in drive and tried to run over the officer, but the officer was able to take shelter between apartment buildings.  Rodriguez fled with the officer’s handcuffs still attached to one of her wrists.  Rodriguez’ vehicle was found at another apartment complex across the street and inside it were items that identified Rodriguez, including her passport.

Relva McCarty passes away days after May 13 car accident

Channel 2 is reporting that 91-year old Relva McCarty passed away days after a May 13 motor vehicle accident in Houston. Mr. McCarty was a passenger in a Mercury Mariner SUV that collided with a Toyota Camry around 8:30am on May 13th at the intersection of Beltway 8 and Hammerly. Mr. McCarty was rushed from the accident scene to Memorial Hermann Hospital, and from there transferred to Kindred Hospital where sadly he died on May 17th.  Police have said that both drivers involved were at fault for the collision.

Woodlands Express bus accident shuts down inbound HOV lanes

KHOU is reporting that a morning accident involving a Woodlands Express bus and two other vehicle shut down inbound HOV lanes on Interstate 45 near Crosstimbers. The collision happened around 8:15am, the peak of rush hour. No word yet on whether anyone was injured in the crash.  Injured in a bus accident? Smith & Hassler’s experienced personal injury attorneys can help.