HOUSTON — An off-duty deputy and her young daughter were killed in a deadly crash on the Katy Freeway near the 610 West Loop Friday morning, according to the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office.
Constable Ted Heap identified the victims as Deputy Constable Katherine Hutson and her daughter Kacey.
Hutson was 46 years old and an 18-year veteran of Precinct 5. Heap said she was working an extra job providing traffic control for a road construction convoy. A spokesperson for Precinct 5 told KHOU 11 that Hutson's daughter was with her because she was a single parent.
Pct. 5 said Hutson’s vehicle was parked on the shoulder when she was hit from behind by a Mazda.
"It was a bad accident and the fire was intense and unfortunately, we had two fatalities involved in this scene," HPD Assistant Chief Adrian Rodriguez said. "I do ask Houstonians to please pray for these families. Especially with the holidays coming up, this is a very tragic scene."
Shortly before 2 p.m., the Houston Police Department said Omar Jose Alvarado was taken into custody and is believed to have been impaired when he crashed into Hutson's vehicle. HPD said charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer are pending.
Editor's note: The Houston Police Department on Friday night posted a mugshot of the incorrect suspect in this case. The photo of the man has been removed from KHOU.com.
According to Houston TranStar, the crash happened just before 3:45 a.m. near Washington Avenue/Westcott Street. I-10 was closed for more than seven hours but reopened just before 11 a.m.
A box truck with the Texas Department of Transportation was also hit by the Mazda, causing it to burst into flames. Police said one of the workers was injured in the fire but is expected to be OK. A passenger in the Mazda was also injured.
Law enforcement vehicles from Precinct 5 and the Harris County Sheriff's Office escorted the van carrying Hutson and her daughter to the medical examiner's office.
Hutson transferred to the civil division to spend more time with her daughter. We've learned that Kacey was a second-grade student at Turlington Elementary School in Waller ISD. Counselors were on hand Friday to help students and staff process the news.
"Waller ISD is a family, and we take care of each other as a family, and so when we learned of the news, we started implementing the tools that we have in place to be able to help our staff and to be able to help our students and reach out to our parents," Waller ISD Chief Communications Officer Sarah Marcus said. "We're here for you, and we're going to get through this together, and that's what we do."
The district also issued the following statement:
"Waller ISD is heartbroken to confirm the passing of a 2-grade student who attended Turlington Elementary. We are working to make personal phone calls to the parents to ensure they are informed of the loss, and our counseling team is onsite to provide support as needed. The loss of any member of the Waller ISD family is devastating and is especially difficult during the holiday season. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family as well as the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office and ask for thoughts and prayers for all those affected by the loss."
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo released the following statement:
“I’m crestfallen to hear the news that Harris County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable Katherine Hutson and her young daughter, Kacey, died early Friday morning November 22, 2024, while Deputy Hutson was in the line of duty.
"Deputy Hutson, an 18-year veteran of Precinct 5, and her daughter were inside her police vehicle on the westbound side of the Katy Freeway near the West Loop when another driver careened and crashed into the car.
"We’ve learned from Precinct 5, that Deputy Hutson was working extra employment at the time, providing a police safety presence for a road construction site.
"Please keep the memories of the deputy and her daughter in your hearts and prayers. We share in the grief and offer support to the family of Deputy Hutson and her daughter Kacey, as well as her colleagues in Precinct 5 and to the broader community.
"Ultimately, this is a reminder that our first responders put their lives on the line to serve and protect. The deadly crash remains under investigation. I have requested that flags fly at half-staff in their memory."
Editor's note: Pct. 5 initially spelled the deputy's name "Hudson," but later sent a correction.