SW Houston power outage after alleged car theft suspect crashes into utility pole during chase, HPD

In southwest Houston, crews are diligently working to restore electricity to a neighborhood after a man, allegedly fleeing from police, crashed into a power pole on Saturday afternoon.

The pursuit commenced at 12:04 p.m. when police began pursuing the man driving a black Chevrolet Silverado, suspected of being stolen.

According to police radio transmissions, the chase reached speeds of 70 miles per hour before the suspect collided with multiple vehicles and a power pole at 12:06 p.m. on Renwick Drive near Gulfton Street.

The truck initially struck one car before crashing into the power pole across the street. Subsequently, it collided with a car parked at an apartment complex, forcing the vehicle into the SUV parked beside it.

Abdul Khafid, a witness, recounted the alarming incident, stating he was about to leave the parking lot when the truck abruptly approached from behind.

“I heard the impact of the pole that he knocked down, so I looked to my right and I froze, and then I see him coming behind me,” Khafid said.

The truck eventually came to a halt mere feet away, narrowly avoiding an SUV. Khafid observed swift police response.

“The guys pulled their guns out and they were telling him to stop moving because it looked like they were getting ready to get busy with him,” he described.

Video footage captured by Khafid shows a man being transported on a gurney after being extricated from the truck. The suspect sustained a broken leg and was taken to the hospital for treatment, authorities reported.

The extent of injuries to others involved remains unclear at present.

In a statement issued shortly before 6 p.m., CenterPoint Energy announced an estimated restoration time of five to eight hours for affected homes in the area.

As of 8:45 p.m., 23 customers were still without power.