Internal Affairs and county vehicular-crimes investigators are examining the collision that killed a child and injured a deputy and clinician.
HOUSTON, Texas — Harris County authorities are reviewing a fatal early Sunday collision involving a marked sheriff’s vehicle after a child was killed and a deputy and clinician suffered minor injuries in northwest Houston.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division are investigating the crash, which happened about 12:40 a.m. near T.C. Jester Boulevard and Tomlinson Trail Drive. Investigators said they planned to examine vehicle data and any available video as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Authorities said the marked sheriff’s vehicle was traveling south on T.C. Jester when a Toyota pickup traveling north attempted to turn west across its path. The vehicles collided, sending the sheriff’s vehicle into a brick subdivision entrance and causing the pickup to spin before stopping facing south.
The deputy was assigned to the sheriff’s office Crisis Intervention Response Team, and a clinician was riding in the passenger seat, investigators said. Both suffered minor injuries and were taken to a hospital. Authorities said the two were not responding to a call when the crash occurred.
A child younger than 12 was riding in the pickup’s front passenger seat. Investigators said the child was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected during the collision. The deputy performed CPR before emergency medical crews arrived, and resuscitation efforts continued as the child was taken to a hospital. The child was later pronounced dead.
Investigators said they had found no indication that speed was a factor in the crash. They also noted that the intersection does not have a traffic signal or stop sign controlling traffic moving along T.C. Jester. The investigation had not reached a final finding about responsibility for the collision as of Sunday morning.
Authorities were also investigating whether the pickup driver was impaired. The driver, described as a man in his 50s or 60s, showed signs of intoxication after the crash, according to investigators. The sheriff’s office said authorities were seeking a warrant for a blood sample.
Investigators said an intoxication manslaughter charge involving a child could be considered if testing and other evidence support a finding that the driver was impaired. No charge had been announced, and authorities had not released the driver’s identity as of Sunday morning.
The investigation is expected to include information stored by the vehicles along with any surveillance or other video available from the area. Those findings could help investigators determine vehicle movements and other details immediately before the impact.
Authorities had not publicly identified the child or disclosed the child’s relationship to the pickup driver. The Internal Affairs and vehicular-crimes investigations remained active Sunday.
Author note: Last updated August 23, 2026.