PLANO, Texas — A 30-year-old Plano man remains in custody today after a high-speed, cross-median collision on Independence Parkway claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy and left three others hospitalized.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, March 2, has led to a formal manslaughter charge against the driver, Murad Omar Houry, as investigators look into the role of excessive speed in the fatal crash.
Collision Details on Independence Parkway
The Plano Police Department responded to reports of a severe two-vehicle wreck in the 600 block of Independence Parkway at approximately 12:00 p.m. Monday.
According to preliminary investigative reports, Houry was operating a blue Chevrolet Volt traveling southbound when he lost control of the vehicle. The hatchback jumped the center median, entering oncoming traffic and striking a white Lincoln Navigator traveling northbound.
Casualties and Hospitalizations
The impact of the collision resulted in immediate tragedy for the four occupants of the Lincoln Navigator:
- Carter Heise, 15: Pronounced dead at the scene by emergency officials.
- Three Unidentified Occupants: Transported to a local hospital with varying injuries. Their current conditions have not been publicly disclosed.
Houry, the sole occupant of the Chevrolet Volt, did not require hospitalization following the crash.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Later that same day, authorities arrested Houry on a charge of manslaughter. Police officials noted that “speed appeared to be a significant contributing factor” in the driver’s loss of control.
As of Wednesday, March 4, records from the Collin County Jail confirm that Houry remains in custody. Legal representation for the defendant has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the charges.
Plano Police Department investigators are continuing to process the scene and vehicle data to determine the exact speed of the Volt at the time of impact. Local authorities are urging any witnesses who may have seen the blue Chevrolet Volt prior to the accident to come forward.
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Looking Ahead
The Plano community is mourning the loss of Heise, a teenager whose life was cut short in a preventable traffic incident. The Collin County District Attorney’s office is expected to review the police department’s full investigative findings in the coming weeks to determine the next steps in the prosecution of Murad Omar Houry.
