Residents evacuate after fatal accident causes gas leak in northeast Houston

A man has died after a high-speed crash early Friday morning in northeast Houston, resulting in a gas leak and prompting nearby residents to take safety precautions.

The car crash happened in the 5000 block of Hartwick at 1:50 a.m.

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The Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported that the driver, who was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed, struck a cable car before leaving the roadway. The car then collided with a mailbox, a utility pole and a gas line in a second crash.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The gas line was damaged, causing a leak that required safety precautions. CenterPoint Energy is working to secure the leak and residents are asked to stay indoors until it is repaired.

Some residents were evacuated due to the strong smell of gas, with the assistance of the HCSO.