Woodlands teen identified as driver recovered from creek in Crockett

CROCKETT, Texas (KTRE) - A 17-year-old from The Woodlands has been identified as the driver recovered Saturday from a Crockett creek.

Houston County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Judge Ronnie Jordan identified the driver as Jaeger Lee Randle of The Woodlands.

County dispatchers received the call around 11 a.m. concerning a teenager overdue to reach his home after leaving Houston County Lake, according to Houston County Sheriff Zak Benge.

A few hours later, a Houston County emergency management coordinator found damage to a guardrail off Loop 304.

Benge said the coordinator and a deputy were able to locate a front bumper and Randle’s license plate 70 yards down a nearby creek, and the roof of a submerged car 30 yards further down in the water.

Rescue teams with Texas Parks and Wildlife and Houston County Search and Rescue were called to respond, and, shortly after, Randle’s body was pulled from the vehicle, Benge said.

An investigation into the exact cause of the crash is being conducted by the Crockett Police Department.

“This is a tragic event that will affect many of this young man’s family and friends,” Benge said. “The search for and recovery of the young victim was an effort comprised of members of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Crockett Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Houston County Emergency Management, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Crockett Fire Department and Houston County Search and Rescue.”