HOUSTON — A man is dead after Houston police said he ran away from officers onto the East Freeway and was hit by a car during a road rage investigation Saturday morning.
This happened around 8:30 a.m.
Police said officers noticed some kind of disturbance on the East Freeway feeder road and went to investigate. At some point, a man got out of a car and got into a confrontation with officers. Police said he ran from the officers down an embankment and tried to cross the freeway. As he was crossing the eastbound lanes, HPD said a car hit and killed him.
Learma Kauffman lives just above the highway embankment. She saw the police early in the morning and as the day progressed, she said the police presence grew much larger.
"My heart goes out to the family whoever the case may be," she said.
Houston police said the speed limit is 55 miles per hour along this road and many aren't expected to see someone run across the lanes. Police said one driver missed the man, but a second vehicle hit him.
"This is heartbreaking for everybody and is very traumatic. We send our condolences," said HPD Assistant Chief Cantu.
The eastbound lanes of the East Freeway were shut down for hours near Lockwood after the crash. The Texas Department of Transportation reported the freeway reopened at 12:45 p.m.
If you have any information about the incident, you're asked to contact the Houston Police Department at 713-247-4072.
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