Houston Police employee drowns while driving to work as Beryl battered area

HOUSTON - Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced another fatality due to Hurricane Beryl on Monday.

Mayor Whitmire said Russel Richardson, 54, a civilian employee of the Houston Police Department, died while driving into flood conditions while on his way to work.

RELATED: At least seven people dead as Beryl rips through Texas coast

Acting Houston Police Chief Larry Satterwhite confirmed that Richardson, an information security officer, drowned after being caught in the flood waters.

"I am deeply saddened to report we lost a member of our HPD family (Monday) while he was en route to work during the hurricane," Satterwhite posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We ask everyone to keep Russell's family - his wife and children- and his coworkers and friends in your prayers."

Upon getting stuck in the waters on the Houston Street underpass, the employee called his friends and even Houston Police for assistance, but he ultimately drowned. His body was later found inside his vehicle.

Six other people died as Beryl made landfall Monday morning, including five people who died after trees fell on top of homes.