HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — An innocent driver is dead and another driver is facing charges after a street racing crash in northwest Harris County late Thursday.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office said two vehicles were speeding northbound near the intersection of Cutten Road and Belgold Drive, not far from WIllowbrook Mall, at about 6:44 p.m.
Witnesses told deputies the two Dodge Chargers, a black one and a gray one, were racing when the gray one hit a Ford F-150. The pickup was forced off the road and crashed into a brick pillar, killing the driver.
There were two people inside the gray Charger, the male driver and female passenger. Both were taken to an area hospital with what deputies said were minor injuries.
Authorities said the driver of the Charger admitted to speeding, and witnesses told deputies the street racers were likely going more than 80 mph just before the wreck. The Harris County District Attorney's Office overnight accepted a charge of 'street racing causing a death,' identifying the suspect as Jarrod Mikel, 30.
The sheriff's office later identified the driver who was killed as Fidel Juarez, 36.
The investigation is on going and anyone with additional information is urged to call the HCSO Vehicular Crimes division 713-274-7400.