DEER PARK, Texas – The human remains inside the car at the center of Deer Park’s pipeline explosion have been identified Monday.
The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office was able to complete testing of the recovered remains and through the use of radiography comparison, identified the driver as 51-year-old Jonathan McEvoy, of Deer Park.
Investigators confirmed that the vehicle being driven by McEvoy was a 2022 Lexus NX350.
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The City of Deer Park later confirmed the vehicle had driven through a fence on the west side of Wal-Mart’s parking lot, located at 9025 Spencer Hwy, on Sept 16. The vehicle entered the adjacent pipeline right-of-way and struck an above-ground pipeline valve.
The white SUV was seen near the explosion but investigators had to wait until the flames were out and the area was safe before moving in to investigate.
READ: ‘Like something out of a movie’: Eyewitness recalls car crash that sparked Deer Park explosion
After the pipeline fire burned for nearly three days, the car was towed on Sept 19 and while the team was processing the car, they found and removed human remains.
Authorities are considering it a criminal investigation, but are not saying why.
McEvoy would have been 52-years-old in a few days, according to his ex-wife, Delma McEvoy, and his son, Jonathan McEvoy Jr. They say he was always laughing, joking and wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Loved ones describe him as an army veteran who loved his three children and his dog Mila.
Back on September 16, loved ones say they believe McEvoy borrowed his roommates Lexus to go to Walmart on Spencer Highway. His family says McEvoy had recently started having seizures, but wasn’t diagnosed and had not been on medication. They believe he had a seizure, which led to the crash.
The exact cause of McEvoy’s death and what led up to the crash is still being investigated.
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