Investigators say several teens ran off on foot; no injuries reported.
HOUSTON — Houston police are investigating after a car plowed into a house along Carnelian Drive on Wednesday morning, prompting a neighborhood search for several teenage boys who fled before officers arrived. The crash was called in around 8:15 a.m. near the Westpark Tollway and South Kirkwood Road.
The collision left the home’s facade damaged and a section of lawn littered with broken plastic and glass. Police said the cause remains unknown and the investigation is in its early phase. Officers formed a perimeter and contacted nearby residents for video that might show where the teens went. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries either to the occupants of the house or to anyone in the vehicle.
Officers said they were working to confirm how many teenagers were inside the car and who was behind the wheel. Names and ages were not released. Investigators said they would examine whether the vehicle was borrowed or stolen and whether speed, distraction, or driver inexperience contributed. The department did not release a description of the teens, and there was no information about another vehicle being involved. A tow truck removed the car as detectives documented the scene.
The block of Carnelian Drive is part of a southwest Houston neighborhood with several feeder streets that connect to the tollway and to South Kirkwood Road. Residents said traffic typically picks up around the start of the school day. A neighbor who declined to give a last name said she heard a boom and stepped outside to see dust and two boys running. Another resident said he has seen cars rolling past the stop sign at the corner, and he hoped the city would review traffic patterns after the crash.
Police said the case would be routed to investigators who handle crashes that involve property damage and possible failure to stop and give information. Detectives planned to canvass the area for doorbell video and to interview the homeowner once the residence was inspected for safety. If officers identify the teens, the case will be forwarded to juvenile authorities for review. Officials did not set a timeline but said updates would be provided as more information is confirmed.
By late morning, the street was reopened and officers left the block. The damaged section of the home remained boarded while the owner arranged for repairs. Police said they were still gathering witness statements and working to locate the teens who left the car.
Author note: Last updated January 16, 2026.