A female driver faces two counts of intoxication manslaughter after her Tesla rear-ended a Nissan on I-10 in Houston, killing two people and sparking a fire. The incident occurred early Friday morning eastbound past the Sawyer Street exit. The Tesla's passenger was hospitalized, while the driver was taken into custody at the scene.
Houston police responded to a fatal crash on Interstate 10 eastbound just past the Sawyer Street exit early Friday morning, October 17, 2025. According to Houston Police Department Lieutenant Khan, the driver of a Tesla rear-ended a Nissan sedan at a high rate of speed, causing the Nissan to catch fire. The impact was severe enough that the Tesla struck barriers on both sides of the freeway before stopping.
The driver and passenger in the Nissan were pronounced dead at the scene, though their identities have not been released. The passenger in the Tesla was transported to a hospital by Houston Fire Department paramedics for injuries. The Tesla driver, a woman who remained at the scene, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter.
Lieutenant Khan stated that officers were called about the deadly accident involving two vehicles. He noted, 'The Tesla was going so fast, it appeared to have hit barriers on both sides of the freeway before coming to a stop.' The exact speed of the Tesla remains unclear.
The Vehicular Crimes Division is investigating, and the freeway was closed following the crash. Houston police have not released the suspect's identity. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about high-speed collisions on major Houston roadways, though no further details on contributing factors were provided.