When police are racing to stop a crime, it’s very important that drivers make room for them. Their exemption from having to follow regular traffic laws in those instances can prove to be dangerous and even fatal. One family in Texas is reeling after the loss of two young boys who died when the car they were in was hit by a police car, but the family was not in the wrong. Officer Michael Hightower was speeding in his marked police vehicle, allegedly to stop a crime in progress. But he failed to properly signal his intentions, which led to him slamming into the family’s vehicle. Now, he’s facing multiple charges for killing the boys.
According to court records, a jury returned an indictment against Officer Michael Hightower, KTRK reported. He faces two charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The indictment follows a crash involving Hightower and another vehicle shortly after 7 p.m. October 23, 2025.
The Baytown Police Department said Hightower was driving a marked patrol vehicle and was on duty at the time of the crash. An accident report obtained by the outlet stated that Hightower had a green light at the intersection, and the van had a blinking yellow. The van driver tried to turn. Because of the speed Hightower was driving, the reaction time of the driver was compromised…