Cyclist fatally hit by vehicle in west Houston, 2 hurt in nearby pursuit crash

HOUSTON, TX — A woman died Tuesday morning in west Houston after being struck by a vehicle whose driver was possibly distracted by a nearby police pursuit, reports ABC13.

The fatal incident occurred on the eastbound side of Westheimer Road, between Hillcroft Avenue and Winrock Boulevard.

Preliminary details indicate that just before 5:00 a.m., a man had reported his truck’s tailgate stolen from the 900 block of Omar Street in the Woodland Heights area.

The tailgate appeared to be equipped with a tracker, as Harris County Precinct 1 deputies were able to locate the theft suspect at an apartment complex in the city’s north side.

A 30-minute pursuit was initiated when the suspect saw the officers and fled in a silver Ford SUV. The chase came to an end when the Ford SUV struck another vehicle that had turned onto Westheimer Road, despite the road closure. Officials said the suspect had been traveling at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.

The suspect and the victim driver were both taken to a local hospital. While their conditions have not been disclosed, officials said they are expected to survive.

While at the pursuit crash scene, officers were notified that a woman on a bike had been fatally hit by a car on Westheimer Road.

According to officials, an eastbound vehicle struck the female cyclist, who was reportedly in a parked position in the first lane. The victim succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Officers believe the woman was part of the area’s homeless community and was between 50 and 65 years old.

The HPD said the driver was likely distracted by the nearby chase and failed to see the cyclist in the roadway. Speeding and impairment are not believed to be factors in the incident.

No charges have been reported at this time.

The Houston personal injury attorneys of Gibson Hill understand how difficult it is to recover from the aftermath of a serious accident. We have helped people face these challenges and guided them through the legal system's complexities to help them receive the best medical treatment and financial compensation. Call (713) 659-4000 for a free consultation with one of our Houston Bicycle Accident Lawyers today.