2 Fatal Crashes In Houston Over The Weekend; 1 Arrest Made

HOUSTON, TX — Two separate fatal crashes were reported in Houston over the weekend and police have made an arrest in one of the crashes.

A 52-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a gray BMW that exited to the entrance ramp to the North Freeway from 610 North Loop around 12:15 p.m. Saturday, police said. The BMW struck a blue Jeep Cherokee disabled on the shoulder ramp.

Police said the BMW driver failed to stay in a single lane struck three of five pedestrians standing in a grassy area away from the disabled vehicle. The woman was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Two other victims, a 16-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl, were taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The BMW driver stayed on the scene and police said they determined that he was impaired. Lawrence W. Franklin, 41, is charged with intoxication manslaughter.

The second crash, which also happened on Saturday, was in the 6700 block of South Freeway around 10:30 p.m.

A 31-year-old woman, who was riding on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, was killed in the crash. The bike had the green light at the intersection of the South Freeway service road when it was struck by a black Chevloret Tahoe that ran the red light while going north on the service road, police said.

The driver of the Tahoe fled the scene.

The person riding the bike stayed on the scene and was not injured.

Anyone with information on the identity of the wanted driver of the Tahoe is urged to contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4065 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.