The accident happened at the intersection of the Eastex Freeway feeder and Aldine Bender about 3 p.m Thursdasy.

One person was killed when a van Brandon Reynolds was driving plowed into a pickup truck, sending both vehicles careening intro the traffic light pole.

Both vehicles burst into flames, sending a plume of smoke hundreds of feet into the air.

The heat of the fire was so intense that the traffic control lights above melted.

HPD

Brandon Reynolds

A sheriff's office spokesman said that the initial vehicle, a Dodge mini van, had been “taken without the owner’s consent” and the driver ran the light at Aldine Bender at the freeway feeder road.

Investigators said Reynolds was drunk and didn't have a valid driver's license.

He was charged with murder Friday.

Initial reports indicate Reynolds, who was driving the van, took the vehicle from his boss without permission.

He was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.

Portions of the northbound feeder road at Aldine Bender remained closed at 6:30 p.m. as investigators tried to piece together their investigation.

Ironically, Reynolds was to be in court this week on a felony theft case.