A man was killed Thursday evening in a violent single-vehicle crash along East Orem Drive, after his SUV veered off the road and slammed into a tree, according to Houston authorities. Police and fire crews rushed to the 7400 block, where emergency personnel found the driver and pronounced him dead at the scene, and officers shut down lanes while they worked the wreck.
What Happened
As reported by MyTexasDaily, a white Kia Sorento heading westbound on East Orem lost control at about 5:40 p.m. The SUV struck an elevated manhole cover in the 7400 block, then continued on to hit a tree.
Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced the male driver dead at the scene. Police said he was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. No other vehicles or people were involved, according to investigators.
Investigation Under Way
The case has been assigned to the Houston Police Department’s Vehicular Crimes Division, which handles traffic fatalities and other serious roadway collisions. The driver’s identity is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing and that more information will be released once the driver’s identity is confirmed and all scene evidence is reviewed.
East Orem’s Safety Record
East Orem Drive has seen its share of serious crashes over the years and is listed as a high-crash corridor in the city’s Southeast Mobility Plan. Local reporting on previous fatal crashes on Orem has highlighted long-standing concerns about safety along the stretch…