Houston, Texas (KTRK) – A 21-year-old man accused of running away from police and leading them in a high-speed chase that ended in a fatal crash of five cars on Friday night was on bail when he caused the accident , according to court documents.
Damien West has been charged with murder and assault after police said he led them in a chase that ended in a fatal crash on the corner of Hampstead and West Little York Roads in northwest Houston.
The HPD said a police officer tried to stop West around 6:10 p.m. for reckless driving, he was involved in what police called a street takeover. Authorities said West fled them with a silver charger that led them to a high-speed chase that lasted about ten minutes.
According to Houston Police Chief Ban Tien, West passed a red light at the intersection of West Little York and Hampstead, causing a crash between several vehicles.
“It was so, so fast. It happened so fast and I feel the impact and my truck is heading there, “said Adan, a driver who survived the crash.
Aden said he was returning from work waiting at a red light when he became part of a chain reaction that killed a man and sent a woman to hospital in critical condition.
“I feel sorry for them. I offer my condolences to my families. I am quite sad,” he said.
Harris County Department of Crime Crimes Chief Sean Thier said those involved in street raids are the definition of a criminal street gang and authorities plan to start treating them that way.
“If you go back, not just him, but this whole group he was part of. These street raids took too many lives. One more right now and potentially another,” Tear said. As Aden looked back at the crash site, he said he was grateful his life had been spared.
“I am very lucky. I am so grateful to God that he gave me another chance, another opportunity to be with my daughters and sons, my wife and my parents and my whole family,” he said.
Court records show that West was acquitted of a $ 100 bond on a February 2021 indictment for illegal carrying of weapons in Harris County. He was also released on bail for stealing an ATM outside Fort Bend County, as well as on charges of drug possession outside Wharton County.
Tier said the charge of aggravated assault on Friday’s crash could be upgraded to murder if the critically ill woman does not survive her injuries.
The commander of the HPD and PIO are on the verge of a fatal crash in block 15300 on Hempstead Road.
In advance. the information shows that a suspect in order to avoid a crime crashed into more than one vehicle.
Please avoid the area. # Hounews pic.twitter.com/5hy20t0Kep
– Houston Police (@houstonpolice) April 16, 2022
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