Four people die in fiery crash in Waller County

Officials believe car was struck from behind

A westbound stretch of U.S. 290 in Waller County was shut down until Wednesday afternoon following a fatal crash earlier in the day that left four dead.

Troopers headed about 12:50 a.m. to U.S. 290 at FM 359, where they found a Volkswagen engulfed in flames on the side of the road, said Richard Standifer, a Department of Public Safety trooper.

The car’s four occupants were already dead, burned beyond recognition. Their bodies were so charred troopers that were not able to identify the sexes or ages of the occupants, Standifer said. The car was too burned to determine the model.

The culprit behind the gruesome crash is believed to be the driver of a Chevy Impala, who was injured and taken to an area hospital, Standifer said.

Troopers did not release his identity or his condition Wednesday afternoon.

The driver of the Impala appeared to have been speeding west on U.S. 290 just before the collision and rammed into the back of the Volkswagen, Standifer said. The impact sent the Volkswagen spinning off the highway. The car burst into flames and came to rest in the grass on the side of the road.

The Impala also spun off the highway, in the same direction as the Volkswagen. Instead of stopping, it spun around and wound up back on the road.

The westbound main lanes were shut down Wednesday morning. They reopened about 1:15 p.m., according to Houston TranStar.

The driver of the Impala may have been intoxicated, Standifer said.

The driver could face four counts of intoxication manslaughter if investigation proves alcohol or drugs were a factor, he said.