By Shawn Henry 
A morning commute along Houston’s Gulf Freeway turned into a sprawling crime scene Thursday as police worked to contain a fast-moving series of crashes and armed carjackings that stretched across multiple highways. The chain of events left one woman dead and brought traffic to a standstill as investigators worked to reconstruct what happened.
Houston police said the situation began around 8:29 a.m. with a four-vehicle crash involving a white SUV. Witnesses reported that the driver stepped out, fired shots into the air and took a black SUV at gunpoint before driving away. Only minutes later, officers were alerted to another armed carjacking on the nearby I-45 at Woodridge, where the same suspect allegedly stole a second black SUV. Investigators are still determining whether that vehicle had been disabled in a collision or stopped for another reason.
The suspect’s description was quickly shared across agencies, prompting a wide search. Deputies with the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office located a third scene on the Eastex Freeway near the George R. Brown Convention Center, where the suspect appeared to be attempting yet another carjacking involving a stranded white pickup. Deputies were able to take him into custody without additional injuries.
During the investigation, officers discovered a woman dead inside one of the vehicles from the original multi-car crash. The medical examiner will determine her cause of death, and police have not confirmed whether gunfire played a role. No additional injuries were reported among bystanders, officers or other drivers.
The suspect, who sustained minor injuries, was taken to a hospital where officers remained with him. Police expect to file multiple felony charges as units from vehicular crimes, robbery and other divisions collect statements and map the sequence of events.
Large stretches of freeway remained closed for much of the morning, with police warning drivers to plan alternate routes as the investigation continued.
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