Driver killed after car splits in two and catches fire in crash near downtown Houston

HOUSTON – A woman is dead after police say she crashed her car into a tree near downtown Wednesday night, causing it to split in two before catching fire.

It happened just before 2:30 a.m. on Memorial Dr. near the Sawyer St. exit when officers said an unidentified woman, speeding in her car, crashed sideways into a tree, dividing the vehicle in two.

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Authorities say the woman was ejected from her car due to the impact of the crash and bystanders attempted to help her before law enforcement and first responders arrived. It was later confirmed that she died from her injuries.

Currently, investigators do not suspect the driver was under the influence, but medical examiners would need to perform a toxicology report to be sure.

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As a result of the crash, roads, authorities said, will remain closed until about 6 a.m. while crews investigate the scene and clean up the wreckage.