The family of Ronnie Burns II came to Houston on Wednesday to visit the crash site. When we told them that the suspect had apologized, their reaction was unexpected.
HOUSTON — Days after a deadly Midtown crash claimed the lives of two best friends, we heard from the man accused of killing them.
Hours later, the family of one victim reacted to what Rene Hernandez told us.
He’s charged with two counts of murder in the Saturday, Aug. 2, deaths of Ronnie Burns II, from North Texas, and his fraternity brother, Jayden Flemming, from Florida.
Hernandez was released from Ben Taub Hospital on Wednesday morning and taken straight to the Harris County Jail.
In an interview you’ll see only on KHOU 11, Hernandez had a message for the victims’ families.
“I’m sorry, and that I hope that the Lord forgives me, and I hope the Lord is with them in their pain and their suffering,” Hernandez told KHOU 11. “And it was never intentional, and that’s my biggest grief right now is just the victims’ families.”
Burns’ parents and other relatives traveled from Duncanville to Houston on Wednesday to visit the crash site where he took his last breath.
“I’m hurt, so sad that my son had to go in such a way,” Mom Kimberly Burns told us.
“My son was special. I won’t be able to talk to him, touch him,” Dad Ronnie Burns Sr. said. “Mixed emotions, some good, some hurtful, some you get mad.”
When we told them about the suspect’s apology, they expressed sympathy for Hernandez and his family.
“Two murders, man, that’s hard,” Ronnie said. “If he was man enough to apologize and hold yourself accountable enough for his mistakes, yes, we accept that as a Burns family because that’s how my son was. He would accept that.”
Kimberly said forgiveness is part of being a Christian.
“It was senseless, but everybody makes mistakes, so you know what I’m saying? I’m hurt. This was just the dumbest thing that he could have done, ever in life,” Mom Kimberly Burns said.
They said their son and Flemming were best friends and fraternity brothers who had just graduated from Florida A&M University.
Ronnie recently accepted a six-figure job in Atlanta and then bought himself a brand-new Lexus.
Flemming’s mother flew to Houston from Miami earlier this week and told us that he was looking forward to continuing his studies in Germany.
“I talked to him the Friday afternoon before, and he was very happy, having fun,” Leonia Williams said.
The 22-year-olds drove the vehicle to Houston for the annual Texas Greek Picnic. They were part of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
According to the Precinct 7 Constable’s Office, Hernandez was speeding and ran a red light before he crashed into the Lexus on Smith Street near Elgin.
At the time, Precinct 7 deputy constables were chasing Hernandez because they said he’d crashed into another vehicle after running multiple red lights.
Court documents say Hernandez had been consuming alcohol.
Nelson Burns, Ronnie’s younger brother, said he misses his brother. He also shared a message for everyone who drinks and drives.
“Just get home safe. If you’re drunk, just go to sleep where you at, or just find somewhere safe to sleep, or just call an Uber,” Nelson said. “I love my brother, you know.”
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