Accident on W. 43rd splits car in two killing teen driver

An accident early this morning on West 43rd at De Milo Drive in Houston has claimed the life of an 18-year old driver, reportedly a student at Waltrip High School. Police say the driver and a co-worker had just left their shift at a hamburger restaurant and had pulled up together at a red light. The teen involved in the wreck accelerated hard when the light turn green: his co-worker lost sight of him only to come upon the smoke and debris of the wreck moments later. Houston Police Department say alcohol was not a factor in the accident, only excessive speed. The teens vehicle hit a tree with enough force to shear the Mazda 4-door car into two pieces.

Update: The teen driver killed in this accident has been identified as Kyle Eickenhorst. An article in the October 18, 2012 edition of The Leader community newspaper makes the case that Kyle's accident happened at a dangerous curve in 43rd Street where, according to nearby resident Dominic Abney, four major crashes have occurred. That includes a crash two years ago when a motorist crashed through the wall of Abney's home.

Photo credit: KHOU

Photo credit: KHOU

Crash victim Kyle Eickenhorst.
Photo credit: Facebook

The curve in West 43rd, east of Rosslyn, scene of Kyle Eickenhorst's fatal crash.