June 2, 2021 - Houston police are investigating a fatal crash at 8000 Eastex Freeway (North U.S. Highway 59) about 9:20 a.m. today.  

The identity of the female victim, 3 years of age, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.  

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant K. Harris and Officer L. Ho reported:  

The female driver, 23, of a white Chevrolet Traverse was traveling northbound on the freeway near the above address and stopped to avoid a pallet of metal debris blocking a moving lane of traffic.  The debris was part of a lost load struck in a previous crash about 10 minutes earlier.  As the driver of the Chevrolet attempted to drive around the debris, it was struck by a green Ford Taurus.  The impact caused both vehicles to spin.  

A juvenile passenger in the Chevrolet was transported to Texas Children's Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.  A four-month-old female passenger, also in the Chevrolet, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. 

The male driver, 79, of the Ford was transported to an area hospital with a broken leg and cuts and bruises.  Neither driver was found to be intoxicated.  At this time, officers have not located the tractor- trailer truck or the driver involved in the lost load incident.  

No charges have been filed at this time, as the investigation is continuing.