Woman Dies After Fiery Car Crash That Caused Fireworks in Trunk to Go Off: 'Catastrophic Scene'

Abigail Adams
·2 min read

The vehicle "immediately caught on fire," police said

A woman died after a fiery crash in Houston that caused fireworks in the trunk of the car to go off.

Houston Police said the 21-year-old victim was the passenger in a red Chevrolet Camaro that hit a tree at a high rate of speed on South Gessner Street after the driver lost control late Tuesday night, according to NBC affiliate KPRC-TV and ABC affiliate KTRK-TV.

The vehicle split in two and "immediately caught on fire," HPD Sgt. Dionne Griffiths told KTRK-TV.

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The male driver got out of the vehicle and yelled for someone to help the woman, who was trapped inside the vehicle, KPRC-TV and CBS affiliate KEYE-TV reported.

Officers from a nearby police station attempted to put out the blaze, but were forced to run for safety when fireworks in the back of the vehicle ignited and began going off. It created a "catastrophic scene," officers said, per KPRC-TV.

Houston police and fire departments did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.

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One bystander told KPRC-TV that he was pumping gas nearby at the time.

“I started hearing explosions. I thought, is that shotgun shots? Or is it firecrackers going off? It sounded like Roman Candles,” William Young recalled.

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The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, according to FOX affiliate KRIV. She has not been officially identified.

The driver of the Camero was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, KPRC-TV reported.

On Wednesday morning, police investigators determined intoxication was not a factor in the crash and said that no charges had been filed, per KTRK-TV. An investigation is ongoing.

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