Crash with 18-wheeler claims life of deputy: 'Our hearts are broken'

A collision between a Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) patrol unit and an 18-wheeler in northwest Harris County on Wednesday (May 11) claimed the life of a deputy, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez's official Twitter account. 

"It is with tremendous sorrow that we announce the passing of HCSO Deputy Robert Adam Howard (27)," Gonzalez said in a tweet. 

Houston-based media outlets reported that the fatal accident occurred on State Highway (SH) 249.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that Howard has worked for HCSO since 2019 and was part of the agency's gang unit.

"Our hearts are broken," Gonzalez said, according to KHOU. "We're [devastated] we are losing such a great teammate described as a workhorse, described as having a great personality, funny and just outgoing."

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that Howard succumbed to his injuries at Memorial Hermann in The Woodlands, where he was rushed to following the crash.

The incident began a day in which HCSO dealt with a total of two accidents involving their own, with another deputy getting into a crash on the North Freeway after the one that killed Howard, per the station.

Gonzalez tweeted that the deputy involved in the Interstate 45 (I-45) north collision is in the hospital listed in fair condition.

According to Houston NBC affiliate KPRC, Howard struck the 18-wheeler, which was parked on the side of 249.

Howard leaves behind a wife and their two children, a 2-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son, KPRC reported.