FATAL CRASH ON I-45

On January 7, 2017, at approximately 1950 hours, Selena Villarreal was operating a light blue Mazda 6 northbound in the 14500 block of North Freeway. Villarreal’s eight year old son (complainant) was restrained in the back center passenger seat. Villarreal stated her vehicle began to slow down for unknown reasons and she attempted drive to the east shoulder. Villarreal stated her vehicle stopped in the outside moving lane of travel (lane #5) and she activated her hazard lights. David Merritt was operating a red Toyota RAV4 northbound in lane #4 and changed lanes into the outside lane of travel (lane #5).The front end of the Toyota crashed into the back end of the Mazda. The complainant was transported to Texas Children’s Hospital by Harris County Emergency Corps EMS in serious condition. Merritt remained on the scene and did not show any signs of intoxication or impairment. On January 10, 2017, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences advised Dr. E. Bernerdo with Texas Children’s Hospital found the complainant with no signs of life at 1056 hours. This case remains under investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Enforcement Division.