Investigation into Fatal Crash at 3600 South Freeway

Houston police are investigating a fatal crash in the 3600 block of South Freeway (State Highway 288 South) about 9:30 p.m. on July 23.
The identities of the deceased females, 16 and 15, is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant E. Fendia and Officer L. Fenoglio reported:
HPD patrol officers received information about a vehicle involved in a shoplifting traveling in the 5000 block of Westheimer Road. Officers located the vehicle near South Rice Avenue and Westpark Drive and attempted a traffic stop. The driver failed to comply and initiated a pursuit. As the suspect vehicle entered the Interstate 45 interchange, it was involved in a minor crash with another vehicle.
Four females exited the vehicle and started running westbound across the South Freeway. While in the southbound lanes of South Freeway, a white Ford Explorer and black Honda CRV struck two of the females. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced them deceased at the scene.
The drivers of the Ford and Honda remained at the scene and showed no signs of impairment.
Officers took the two other females into custody. Deandra Mercedes Cooke, 30, is charged with misdemeanor evading on foot in Harris County Criminal Court #16. A booking photo of Cooke is attached to this news release.
The second female suspect, 16, was referred to the Harris County Juvenile Probation Authorities on a charge of evading on foot. The name and photo of the juvenile suspect is not releasable.

Deandra Mercedes Cooke
SOA/ECR     7-24-26
Inc. #093539326-R