Houston police are investigating the death of a man found at 7001 Gulf Freeway (South Interstate Highway 45) service road about 4:35 p.m. on Monday (March 12).

The identity of the victim is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant M. Warhol and Officer W. Smith reported:

About 1:30 a.m. on Monday, officers were dispatched to a minor crash at a gas station at the above address.  They learned the driver of a silver Chevrolet Impala had attempted to back out of the car wash lane and struck a pole.  The driver of the Impala had fled on foot prior to officers' arrivals.

Later in the day, about 4:30 p.m., officers were flagged down by a citizen at the above address who stated there was a deceased male behind the gas station.  Upon further investigation, investigators determined the driver of the Chevrolet Impala had pulled forward all the way through the car wash lane and struck the boarded-up entrance to the car wash.  The victim was sleeping in a tent in front of the boarded-up car wash and was run over by the Impala in the process.  The driver then backed up through the car wash lane where she struck the pole at the entrance and then fled the scene on foot.

The investigation is continuing.  Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Vehicular Crimes Division at 713-247-4072.