MISSOURI CITY, Texas — Two people are dead after a car crash involving a Missouri City police officer Thursday night, according to the Missouri City Police Department.
The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the two victims who were killed in the crash as Angela Stewart, 53, and her son, Mason, 16, who was behind the wheel of their car when the crash occurred.
A man who said he was the husband and father of the victims arrived at the scene Friday morning and approached KHOU 11's Stephanie Whitfield and provided photos of the victims.
Rodney Stewart told her that his wife and son had gone to the store, and when they did not return, he started to track them using their mobile devices. That is what led him to the scene of the crash.
"I was just tracking my son’s phone. I checked to see why they were gone so long," Rodney said. "He died on his birthday, man."
Mason had just turned 16 on the day of the crash.
This happened at 8:45 p.m. on Cartwright Road near Texas Parkway. The crash happened when the officer was responding to an in-progress robbery call, police said.
According to officials, the robbery in progress call was at an ATM in a shopping center, but before the officer made it there, he crashed into another car. It's unclear whether the officer's lights and sirens were on at the time of the crash.
The officer was taken to a hospital and has since been released. More than two hours after the crash, police said another person was found in the backseat of the patrol car. It's unclear whether the man was in custody at the time. An investigation into the crash and whether department policies were followed is underway.
Here is what police said at the scene:
“At this time, we are unsure why that person was in the police vehicle, how he got in there. It will be part of the investigation moving forward," MCPD Chief Brandon Harris said.
That man was taken to the hospital. Friday afternoon, Missouri City police said he underwent surgery for non-life-threatening injuries.
According to MCPD, it is department policy not to respond to another scene if they have someone in their unit.
The officer has worked in law enforcement for three years. He’s been with the Missouri City Police Department for one year.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash.