An off-duty deputy and her young daughter tragically lost their lives in a crash on the Katy Freeway near the 610 West Loop early Friday morning, as reported by the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office.
Constable Ted Heap identified the victims as Deputy Constable Katherine Hutson, 46, and her 7-year-old daughter, Kacey. Hutson, an 18-year veteran of Precinct 5, was working an extra job managing traffic control for a road construction convoy at the time of the accident. According to a Precinct 5 spokesperson, Hutson, a single mother, had her daughter with her in the vehicle.
The incident occurred when Hutson’s car, parked on the shoulder, was rear-ended by a Mazda. Authorities later took the 23-year-old driver into custody, suspecting impairment. The Houston Police Department stated that the driver faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer.
The crash happened just before 3:45 a.m. near Washington Avenue/Westcott Street, according to Houston TranStar. The collision also involved a box truck from the Texas Department of Transportation, which caught fire upon impact. One worker sustained injuries but is expected to recover. Interstate 10 was closed for over seven hours but reopened shortly before 11 a.m.
Kacey Hutson was a second-grade student at Turlington Elementary School in Waller ISD. The district released a heartfelt statement expressing their grief:
“Waller ISD is heartbroken to confirm the passing of a second-grade student who attended Turlington Elementary. We are working to make personal phone calls to parents to ensure they are informed of the loss, and our counseling team is onsite to provide support as needed. The loss of any member of the Waller ISD family is devastating and is especially difficult during the holiday season. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family, as well as the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office, and ask for thoughts and prayers for all those affected by the loss.”
This heartbreaking accident has deeply affected the Harris County community, particularly during the holiday season.
