Off-Duty Deputy Constable and Daughter Killed in Katy Freeway Crash
In a devastating accident early Friday morning, an off-duty deputy constable and her young daughter tragically lost their lives on the Katy Freeway in Houston. The victims were identified as 46-year-old Deputy Constable Katherine Hutson and her daughter, Kacey. The incident occurred just before 3:45 a.m. near the Washington Avenue/Westcott Street exit, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
Hutson, a dedicated 18-year veteran of the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office, had been working an extra job at the time, providing traffic control for a road construction convoy. According to Constable Ted Heap, Hutson's daughter, Kacey, was accompanying her mother as she was a single parent. While Hutson’s vehicle was parked on the shoulder of the freeway, it was struck from behind by a Mazda. The force of the collision was severe, with the impact causing a fire that resulted in intense damage. Unfortunately, both Hutson and Kacey did not survive the crash.
Houston Police Department Assistant Chief Adrian Rodriguez described the scene as “a bad accident” and noted the severity of the fire. “Unfortunately, we had two fatalities involved in this scene,” he said, urging Houstonians to keep the victims’ families in their thoughts as the holidays approach. The tragedy of such a loss has resonated deeply within the community, particularly as this was an incident that occurred just days before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Shortly after the crash, Houston police took Omar Jose Alvarado into custody, as he is believed to have been impaired when he collided with Hutson’s vehicle. Alvarado is facing charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer. In a separate development, police initially shared the wrong mugshot on social media, which was later retracted.
The crash also involved a Texas Department of Transportation box truck, which was hit by the Mazda. The impact caused the truck to burst into flames. While one of the workers inside the truck sustained injuries, they are expected to recover. Additionally, a passenger in the Mazda was injured but is also believed to be in stable condition.
The response to the tragedy has been swift, with law enforcement from Precinct 5 and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office escorting the bodies of Hutson and her daughter to the medical examiner’s office. The community’s grief has extended beyond just the law enforcement family. Hutson had recently transferred to the civil division of Precinct 5 to spend more time with her daughter, Kacey, who was a second-grade student at Turlington Elementary School in Waller ISD.
In response to the heartbreaking news, Waller ISD has mobilized counseling services to help students, staff, and parents cope with the loss. Sarah Marcus, the district’s Chief Communications Officer, shared the district’s commitment to supporting those affected, emphasizing that “Waller ISD is a family” and that everyone would get through this together. The district issued a statement mourning the loss of the young student and extending condolences to the families involved.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo also expressed her deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering support to both the families and colleagues of Deputy Hutson. “We share in the grief and offer support to the family of Deputy Hutson and her daughter Kacey, as well as her colleagues in Precinct 5 and to the broader community,” Hidalgo said. She also reminded the public of the dangers faced by first responders, who often put their lives on the line to protect the public. In honor of the fallen deputy, Judge Hidalgo requested that flags be flown at half-staff.
This tragic accident highlights the risks that law enforcement officers, even while off duty, face in their line of work. The accident serves as a grim reminder of the sacrifices made by first responders and the impact of impaired driving. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and the community continues to mourn the loss of two innocent lives cut short far too soon.
