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Ronnie Burns II

Age : 22

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 08/02/2025

Location : Intersection of Smith Street and Elgin Street

City : Houston

County : Harris

State : Texas

Agency : Harris County Precinct 7 Constable’s Office

Officer(s) :Deputy Gatwright

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed in crash during police pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/02/2025 at approximately 2:00 a.m., deputies with the Harris County Precinct 7 Constable's Office observed a black Ford F-150 driven by Rene Hernandez, 21, strike multiple vehicles and attempted to stop it. Hernandez continued driving away at high speed while deputies pursued. At the intersection of Smith Street and Elgin Street in Midtown Houston, Hernandez drove through a red light and struck a white Lexus.
Ronnie Burns II, 22, a recent Florida A&M University graduate and passenger in the Lexus, died at the scene. The driver of the Lexus, Jayden Fleming, 22, also died in the collision and should be entered as a separate fatality report. The Lexus caught fire following the impact.
Hernandez was taken into custody at the scene. Investigators reported he showed signs of intoxication, including a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech. He was charged with two counts of murder because the deaths occurred during the commission of a felony. A female passenger in Hernandez's truck sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/08/04/hcso-to-provide-updates-after-deadly-high-speed-chase-ended-in-fiery-crash/
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/two-famu-graduates-killed-midtown-crash-suspected-drunk-driver-facing-murder-charges/