MISSOURI CITY, Texas — A Missouri City police officer has been relieved of duty after he was involved in a crash that killed a mother and her teenage son and injured a man who was in the back of his patrol car.
The crash happened around 8:45 p.m. on June 20. The Missouri City Police Department said the officer was responding to an in-progress robbery call. The Texas Department of Public Safety on Thursday identified the officer as Blademir Viveros, 27.
DPS said Viveros was driving faster than the posted speed limit without his emergency lights on at the time of the crash.
Officials have identified the mother and her son as Angela Stewart, 53, and Mason Stewart, 16. The teen was behind the wheel when the crash happened. DPS said he failed to yield right-of-way when pulling out of the parking lot.
His father, Rodney Stewart, said his son had just turned 16 that day.
The teen's father said his wife and son had gone to the store, and when they did not return, he started to track them using their mobile devices. That is what led him to the scene of the crash.
"I was just tracking my son’s phone. I checked to see why they were gone so long," Rodney said. "He died on his birthday, man."
Viveros was taken to a hospital for treatment and has since been released. More than two hours after the crash, police said another person was found in the backseat of the patrol car. DPS identified that man as Michale Hawkins. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Hawkins was also taken to an area hospital where he was still recovering as of June 27, DPS said.
It's unclear whether he was in custody at the time. An investigation into the crash and whether department policies were followed is underway.
"At this stage of the professional standards investigation, the primary officer involved in the accident has been relieved of duty," MCPD said in a press release Thursday. "The Missouri City Police Department wants to assure the public we are committed to maintaining the trust and confidence of the community we serve."
The man in the patrol car was also taken to an area hospital where he underwent surgery for non-life-threatening injuries, police said. The department also said its policy is for officers to not respond to another scene if they have someone in their unit.
The victim's family also released a statement through their attorney.
"The family of Angela and Mason Stewart continue to grieve and process this tragedy. We are trying to stay focused on supporting each other and our friends, family, and loved ones. We lost our beloved wife, mother, brother and son because of the dangerous actions of a Missouri City Police Officer. We hope this decision helps to avoid more tragedies and saves another family from experiencing the sorrow of losing two loved ones. We also hope to see more changes to ensure safer police procedures in serving our wonderful community."
Here is what police said at the scene:
On the day of the crash, MCPD Chief Brandon Harris said they didn't know why Hawkins was in the back of the patrol car.
Viveros had worked in law enforcement for three years. He’s been with the Missouri City Police Department for one year.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash.