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The recent FAMU graduates were struck and killed by an allegedly impaired driver who was being pursued.
HOUSTON, Texas — Best friends and fraternity brothers who were inseparable during their lives tragically passed away together early Saturday along Smith Street in Midtown Houston, while returning to their Airbnb.
“They had a very bright future which was taken from them,” said Leonia Williams, mother of Jayden Flemming, who was killed in the wreck.
She flew in from Florida upon news of her son’s death.
“Trying to comprehend and I’m still asking, ‘why?” she said.
Jayden was looking forward to continuing his studies in Germany, while Ronnie Burns II, also 22, had just landed a new job.
They both had recently graduated from Florida A&M University and were visiting Houston for the annual Texas Greek Picnic. They were members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Below is a statement from Texas Greek Picnic.
“I talked to him the Friday afternoon before, and he was very happy, having fun,” Williams said.
“I’m glad to have called them my brothers,” said friend and fraternity brother Zachary Sewell. “They were truly unique individuals, unlike anyone else.”
According to investigators, the two died around 2 a.m. on Saturday when an alleged drunk driver ran a red light, collided with their SUV, which then hit a building, causing it to burst into flames.
At the time, 21-year-old suspect Rene Hernandez was being pursued by a Precinct 7 deputy constable for allegedly hitting another vehicle without stopping, in addition to running multiple red lights.
“When she saw it, she activated her emergency equipment and pursued the truck with her visual and audio signals,” explained Constable James “Smokie” Phillips.
He said it appears the deputy followed proper protocols.
“We send our condolences to the families,” Phillips said.
Hernandez was charged with two counts of murder since he was allegedly already committing a felony when he crashed into the friends whose lives, in many ways, were just getting started.
“You know, you can’t do these things. It happens all the time, and the outcome is always this,” Williams said. “You know, why take the risk?”
Hernandez was also injured in the crash and remains in the hospital. He’ll be transferred to the Harris County Jail as soon as possible. A female who was in the truck sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
