HPD chase leaves 1 dead, 2 hurt

09:31 AM CDT on Friday, September 26, 2008

KHOU.com staff report

HOUSTON – An overnight police chase ended in a deadly motorcycle accident. According to police, the chase began just before 2 a.m. Friday in Midtown after witnesses flagged down an officer and reported two men on a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed.

The officer gave chase, but was unable to keep up.

Another officer then located the suspects and followed them, said Houston Police Lieutenant John Zitzmann.

“The officer was traveling south on the Gulf Freeway and blended into traffic," said Lt. Zitzmann. "Out of nowhere the suspect appeared to also travel southbound at a high rate of speed and rear ended the officer,” said Lt. Zitzmann.

The chase suspect was taken to a hospital and is being treated. His passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The HPD officer who was in the patrol unit that was hit was not hurt.

Charges could be pending in the case, police say.