Authorities are investigating how Berenice Barraza left the vehicle before she was struck early Sunday near Katy.
HARRIS COUNTY, TX — A woman died early Sunday after exiting a moving Jeep and being struck by the vehicle in west Harris County, authorities said, while the man who was driving was arrested as deputies investigated possible intoxication.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman in its account of the crash as Berenice Barraza and the driver as Gerardo A. Rodriguez. The incident happened at about 2 a.m. Nov. 8 on Salt Grass Trail Way in the Katy area. Authorities were still working Sunday to determine exactly how Barraza came to be outside the moving vehicle and what happened immediately before she exited.
Investigators said Rodriguez was driving west on Salt Grass Trail Way when Barraza went through the passenger-side door. KPRC reported, citing investigators, that the two had been arguing and that Barraza opened the door and got out while the Jeep was moving. ABC13, however, reported that investigators had not determined exactly how she left the vehicle and said authorities believed she may have jumped. The sheriff’s office investigation remained open.
Rodriguez told investigators that he felt as though the Jeep had gone over a bump, according to accounts attributed to the Sheriff’s Office. He continued west, parked and then returned to the area where Barraza had exited. Authorities said he found her on the ground and not breathing and began performing CPR.
Emergency medical personnel took Barraza to Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Authorities did not immediately release additional details about her injuries. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office listed the incident as a traffic investigation at 900 Salt Grass Trail Way.
Deputies detained Rodriguez at the scene after reporting that they noticed an odor of intoxicants and that his eyes appeared glassy. He declined field sobriety testing, according to reports citing the Sheriff’s Office, and deputies arrested him. ABC13 reported that the Sheriff’s Office said Rodriguez was charged with driving while intoxicated.
There was some uncertainty Sunday afternoon about the formal case record. The Houston Chronicle reported that authorities had not responded to its request for details about charges against Rodriguez and that his case was not yet visible in Harris County’s online court records. The newspaper also reported that information about an attorney representing Rodriguez was not available. The absence of a court listing at that point did not resolve the discrepancy with the Sheriff’s Office account reported by ABC13.
Investigators were also trying to establish what happened inside the Jeep before Barraza left it. ABC13 reported that investigators said Rodriguez had provided little information about those circumstances. Deputies were seeking surveillance footage that could help establish the vehicle’s movements and the sequence of events. Authorities had reopened the roadway after completing their initial work at the scene.
The investigation into Barraza’s death remained active Sunday. Authorities had not announced a final finding on how she exited the Jeep or whether additional charges would be considered. Any criminal allegation against Rodriguez remains an accusation unless proved in court.
Author note: Last updated November 8, 2026.