HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A suspect is facing charges in connection to a fatal crash that killed a Harris County Precinct 5 deputy constable and her daughter on I-10 Katy Freeway early Friday morning, Houston police said.
On Friday night, Omar Jose Alvarado, 23, was charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter. Alvarado was taken to the Harris County Jail.
Alvarado was questioned at the scene and taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Constable Ted Heap identified the deputy constable as 46-year-old Katherine Hutson. Her daughter, Kacey, was just 7 years old.
All westbound lanes of the freeway at the IH-610 West Loop were shut down for eight hours. The road reopened at about 11 a.m.
The three-vehicle crash happened at 3:07 a.m. Police said a Mazda crashed into Hutson’s car, and a utility truck was parked on the shoulder. All three vehicles instantly burst into flames.
Houston TranStar cameras showed large flames at one point as emergency crews responded.
HPD said a worker who was standing outside of the utility truck was taken to the hospital in stable condition with burns. A female passenger in the Mazda was also taken to the hospital.
Investigators said the driver of the Mazda was not hurt and stayed at the scene to cooperate with investigators.
After running toxicology and DWI tests to determine if impairment was a factor in the deadly crash, police found the at-fault driver to be impaired.
“Constable Ted Heap, along with his deputies and staff, mourn the loss of Deputy Katherine Hutson and her daughter Kacey, whose lives were lost when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver on the Katy Freeway this morning,” the constable’s office shared on social media.
According to Heap, Hutson was an 18-year veteran of the agency. She had been with Pct. 5 since 2006, serving in patrol, parks, toll road, and, most recently, civil division.
Pct. 5 said she was a single mother working an extra job, providing a police presence for road improvements. ABC13 asked why her daughter was with her while she worked the job but has yet to receive an answer.
“Katherine was a loving and caring mother as well as a dedicated deputy,” Heap said. “She was a friend to many in our department, and her smile and upbeat personality will be dearly missed. I ask you all to keep her family and loved ones in your prayers.”
One community missing the deputy is the Bear Creek Village neighborhood. Residents said she patrolled the area, and she rescued many of them during Hurricane Harvey.
Mario Sandoval said Hutson rescued his family, including three young children, during the hurricane. She was our hero,” Sandoval said.
He shared a video with ABC13 showing Hutson riding in the front of the boat after she and another law enforcement member rescued them.
“They took us to Highway 6 by boat, and I remember Officer Hutson. She grabbed two of my kids in her arms and took them for the boat,” Sandoval recalled.
The Houston Police Department is investigating the crash.
“I do ask Houstonians to please pray for these families, especially with the holidays coming up,” Asst. Chief Adrian Rodriguez said. “This is a very tragic scene that we have, and our hearts and prayers go out to the individuals that were lost and their family members who are going to have to deal with this tragic scene.”
