Elderly driver drowns north of Houston, swept off watery roadway on river bridge

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The incessant, violent rains of Tropical Storm Harvey claimed the life of an elderly woman in Walker County early Tuesday, authorities reported.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said Ola Mae Crooks, 83, of Richards, Texas, was found drowned in her car at 3:30 a.m. off a rural road that crosses the San Jacinto River near her home.

Sgt. Steven McNeil said it appeared her car was swept from Farm Road 1791 by swift running water as she tried to drive over a bridge. He was not sure which direction she was driving at the time.

“We want to remind people to please turn around when they come across water on the roads,” said McNeil. “Do not attempt to cross it.”

Crooks was the 11th reported death caused by the storm that’s dumped record rainfall on Houston and southeast Texas, creating a watery swath across the region But the death toll is expected to rise once the flood waters recede. Several people, including a Houston family of six, have been reported missing.

Walker County is 60 miles north of Houston. The fatal accident happened in the southwest end of the county.

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