Woman killed when stolen big rig crashes into house in northwest Harris County

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A woman in her 50s is dead after authorities say someone stole an 18-wheeler that crashed into a mobile home in northwest Harris County.

The crash happened overnight at 11500 McKinley Street.

According to officials, it all started when they received a call for an auto-theft at about 10:40 p.m. Monday after a big rig was stolen at 14700 Sommermeyer.

The big rig was stolen from a local trucking company in the Hempstead Highway and Gessner area, about 10 miles away from the crash scene.

The 18-wheeler was equipped with a GPS tracking system, allowing Houston Police Department units to find it.

When police arrived, the suspect was still inside the 18-wheeler and led officers on a brief chase.

The suspect has been identified as 39-year-old Erick Black.

Black jumped out of the moving truck before it crashed into the house, police say. He was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Police told four people were inside the home at the time of the crash.
One woman inside the home was listed as missing, but officials later confirmed she died.

One man was trapped underneath the 18-wheeler when officers arrived.

Firefighters worked quickly to fix poles around the home to keep it from falling while they saved the trapped man. He was transported to the hospital with severe injuries, but is expected to survive.

Two other men inside the home were not injured.

According to police, Black has a long criminal history and was out on parole for evading with a motor vehicle at the time of the 18-wheeler theft.

Black is facing murder and reckless aggravated assault charges, both of which are felonies that together carry a minimum of 25 years in prison to a maximum of life.

The Harris County District Attorney’s Office plans to ask a judge to put the suspect on a no bond.