Houston police file murder charge against Johnathan Ordonez after carjacking and fatal multi-vehicle crash downtown
Case centers on a Midtown carjacking and a high-speed crash near downtown
Houston police have charged Johnathan Ordonez, 30, with murder following a chain of events that began with a reported carjacking in Midtown and ended in a fatal multi-vehicle crash in downtown Houston. The charge was filed after investigators conferred with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Police said the crash occurred around 12:45 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1000 Travis Street. The person killed was identified as David Nken Njock, 37, who was pronounced dead at the scene by the Houston Fire Department.
What investigators say happened before the crash
Investigators said a woman was in a white Ford Edge in the 2700 block of Travis Street when she got out, believing a family member was involved in a nearby disturbance. Police said a suspect entered her vehicle and attempted to steal it while her 12-year-old son was in the passenger seat.
According to investigators, the woman tried to stop the vehicle from leaving and was shoved out of the Ford Edge. Police also said she may have been struck by the vehicle as it pulled away. The child was able to escape from the passenger side before the SUV sped off, and police said he was not injured.
Downtown collision involved three vehicles and left one man dead
Police said the Ford Edge traveled north on Travis Street at a high rate of speed from the Midtown location. The SUV then struck the rear of a white Kia Soul and subsequently hit a maroon Toyota Tundra on the side. Investigators said the impact caused the Kia to overturn.
The victim, identified as David Nken Njock, died at the scene after the Kia overturned in the crash.
The driver of the Toyota was taken to a hospital with injuries described by police as non-life-threatening. Ordonez, identified by investigators as the driver of the Ford Edge, was also hospitalized; police said a booking photo was not available because he remained in the hospital.
Charge filed as crash investigation continues
Ordonez is charged in the 228th Criminal District Court. Police said their investigation includes reviewing the circumstances of the alleged robbery of the Ford Edge, the sequence of collisions on Travis Street, and the events that led to the death of the Kia driver.
Date and time of crash: approximately 12:45 a.m., January 17, 2026
Location: 1000 Travis Street, downtown Houston
Fatality identified: David Nken Njock, 37
Suspect charged: Johnathan Ordonez, 30, charged with murder
The case remains under investigation.