3 valets hit, killed by vehicle escaping Houston police

HOUSTON – A driver fleeing from police in Houston struck and killed three valets before crashing into a ditch, authorities said.

A patrol sergeant saw the driver making donuts, or circling and leaving tire tracks on the sidewalk, in a parking lot Friday night and attempted to stop the vehicle as it drove away, said the Deputy Chief of Police Yasar Bashir.

The driver eventually collided with the three valets before crashing into a ditch, Bashir said. The driver and a passenger were hospitalized for injuries that are not considered life threatening.

The authorities did not disclose their names or any other personal information about them.

Valets were coming back from parking the cars and going to collect more when the vehicle hit them, said Sean Teare, head of vehicle crimes at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Teare said the driver’s actions were “egregious” and “totally unacceptable”.

“One person decided they didn’t want to get a ticket or potentially go to jail for a misdemeanor” and could now face murder charges for the deaths of the valets, he said.

Teare said the driver would be tested for poisoning.

Police officials did not immediately respond to phone messages asking for additional information on Saturday.