Three teenagers killed in spring police chase crash were Klein ISD students

Three teenagers who died during a high-speed police chase that ended in an accident in northwest Harris County Jan. 2 were identified as Christopher Granados and Justin Cruz, 14, and 16-year-old Alexander Romero.

INFORMATION: Three teenagers killed, three injured in stolen car chase with Harris County deputies

According to Justin Elbert, executive director of communications for Klein ISD, Christopher Granados was enrolled at Klein Oak Middle School, while Alexander Romero and Justin Cruz were students at Klein Collins Middle School

The families of the victims are now preparing funeral services, and the community is going to support them through fundraising. More than 100 people donated to the campaign, raising more than $6,000 in total.

A campaign for Justin Cruz, organized by his cousin Emelie Palma, has raised $3,000 of a projected $6,000. Palma described Cruz as hard-working and kind-hearted, saying he “showed a caring heart to everyone he met.”

His funeral is scheduled for January 12 at the Iglesia Cristiana Un Nuevo Comienzo en Cristo. The public is invited to the commemoration from 6:00 p.m

A separate campaign for Christopher Granados was organized by Leslie Rivas to help his parents and older brothers. “This GoFundMe will help with funeral expenses,” Rivas wrote. “Anything is appreciated, thank you very much.”

A GoFundMe campaign started by Christina Romero has raised $1,592 of a $14,000 goal to help the family of Alexander Romero with funeral expenses.

“Alex was involved in a tragic accident along with others,” Christina Romero wrote in the campaign’s description. “He left his parents, his older sister and his younger brother only memories.”

She described Alex as hard-working and kind-hearted, adding that the family is struggling not only with emotional grief, but also with the financial burden of funeral expenses.

While the exact details of Alexander’s funeral have not been released, the GoFundMe page states that a memorial service will be held on January 12.

What happened

The authorities said the teenagers were in the stolen car when deputies tried to pull them out near Rolling Creek Drive and Kuykendahl Road. The driver refused to stop and a short chase ended in a crash at Sorrel Ridge and Rolling Terrace Drive near Cypresswood Drive.

There were six teenagers aged 14 to 16 in the car. Investigators said two were ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene, while a third was pronounced dead on arrival. The remaining three passengers are in hospital in serious condition.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed the teenagers had items often associated with burglaries, including hammers and gloves, as well as face masks. The incident is under investigation.