FRIENDSWOOD — A 60-year-old man has been arrested after a crash near Friendswood left a 5-year-old girl dead, according to Houston police.

Daniel Ruiz is charged with manslaughter in Harris County in connection with last Thursday’s crash along the Gulf Freeway near Clear Lake City Boulevard.

HPD said the crash happened when a marked tow truck had activated its emergency lights while assisting a stalled vehicle along the southbound side of Interstate 45.

Police said Ruiz was driving a green Toyota 4Runner southbound on the service road when he allegedly failed to control his speed and struck the rear of the tow truck.

A 5-year-old girl who was riding in the front seat suffered critical injuries in the collision.

She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died.

Court records show Ruiz was denied bond following his arrest.

Authorities also noted Ruiz had previously faced a charge of abandoning a child with intent to return in 2024, a case in which he later received deferred adjudication.

The crash remains under investigation.