Police Officer Killed in Crash

Conroe, TX -- An officer with the Patton Village Police Department and an 11-year-old were killed in a multiple vehicle collision on the night of Sunday, June 17.

Sgt. Stacey Baumgartner was dispatched to a Valero station near the intersection of State Highway 242 and U.S. 59/I-69 in response to reports of a man urinating on the sidewalk and exposing himself to customers. When Baumgartner arrived the man -- Gary William Nee, 29 -- attempted to run Baumgartner down.

Nee fled the area headed west on SH 242, Baumgartner pursued. After a 6.5 mile chase the pair came to the intersection of SH 242 and Farm to Market Road 1485.

Nee blew through a red light, Baumgartner attempted to follow. A white Chevy Suburban T-boned Baumgartner's patrol car as he entered the intersection.

The force of the collision sent Baumgartner's cruiser skidding through the intersection and into a traffic light pole. The suburban flipped before coming to rest upside down on the side of FM 1485.

The 11-year old was killed instantly, Baumgartner died en route to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Woodlands.