Harris County deputies track fatal hit-and-run suspect using license plate reading cameras

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A driver is in custody following a fatal hit-and-run crash in northwest Harris County Wednesday morning.

A man was killed and a woman is in the hospital, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were able to track down the hit-and-run driver less than two miles from the crash.

Investigators say a man and his girlfriend were walking in the 6000 block of Satsuma Road in Addicks around 1:15 a.m. when they were struck by a black Kia.

The man died at the scene. Deputies said his girlfriend had a pretty bad rollover but was able to call 911 and describe the suspect’s vehicle.

As investigators went outside to look at the scene, the sheriff’s office used FLOCK license plate reading cameras placed in the area to locate the suspect’s Kia.

Within seconds, cameras found the Kia parked about a mile and a half away near a home with front-end damage, according to HCSO.

“So the suspect drove to a family friend’s house. The patrol obtained the vehicle’s address, located the family and contacted them. We eventually took the suspect into custody and he made a full confession,” HCSO’s B. Bondurant said. Vehicle Crimes Branch Directorate said.

The 39-year-old driver is charged with failure to stop and render aid resulting in death, a second-degree felony, according to HCSO.

Investigators did not immediately identify the slain man. They said his girlfriend was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover.

READ MORE: More Houston-area police departments adopt license plate cameras to fight crime

Some law enforcement agencies in our area use license plate reading cameras.

While they may seem like a crime-fighting tool, not everyone supports them.

The ACLU broadly condemns them, citing privacy concerns.

Last year ABC13 asked a FLOCK spokesperson about privacy concerns. They said any footage not used in the investigation would be deleted after 30 days.

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