On Wednesday, a 54-year-old woman in Houston was killed after being pinned against another vehicle by a minivan being driven by an 11-year-old child, according to authorities.

The Context

According to Texas Department of Transportation data, in 2024, 4,150 people were killed in vehicle accidents across the Lone Star State, down 3.3 percent from 4,291 in 2023.

What To Know

In a press release published on Thursday, the Houston Police Department said the fatal incident took place the previous day at around 5:30 p.m. CT on 3700 Carothers Street.

Crimes Division Sergeant M. Sudduth and Officer N. Solomon said an 11-year-old child was driving a black Chrysler Town and Country minivan and had been instructed by the 54-year-old pedestrian to pull the vehicle forward into a driveway.

However, when the child drove forward, the woman became crushed between the minivan and a Toyota Sequoia. Houston Fire Department transported her to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead by medical staff.

Police said the identity of the 54-year-old victim has not been published as the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is still investigating and seeking to notify her family.

Speaking to Newsweek, a Houston Police Department spokesperson said they couldn’t confirm whether the 54-year-old woman and the 11-year-old child were related.

Police questioned “all persons who remained on the scene” and were later released, with the investigation ongoing.

Anyone who has information about the incident can contact the Houston Police Department’s Office of Community Affairs at 713-308-3200.

In a separate incident on March 14, killed-17-vehicle-texas-crash-2044695″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” class=”multivariate”>five people were killed during a 17-vehicle collision in Austin, including two children. Police said the crash involved “multiple vehicles and a semi-truck” with several people left “pinned in their vehicles.”

What People Are Saying

In a statement included in the press release Sergeant Sudduth and Officer Solomon said: “The driver, 11, of a black Chrysler Town and Country minivan was instructed by the pedestrian (deceased) to pull the vehicle forward in the driveway at the above address. When the driver drove forward, the victim was pinned between the Chrysler and a parked silver Toyota Sequoia.

“The victim was transported to an area hospital by responding Houston Fire Department paramedics where she was pronounced deceased.”

What Happens Next

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances behind Thursday’s crash. More information is expected to be released in due course after the deceased’s family has been notified.