Houston authorities are investigating a deadly motorcycle crash that occurred early Saturday morning in Tomball, involving a construction excavator that may have been stolen. The incident, which happened along a busy stretch of Highway 249, claimed the life of 66-year-old Randal Knerl and has prompted a hit-and-run investigation by the Houston Police Department. Officials say the unusual circumstances surrounding the crash have raised serious questions about how the excavator came to be on the roadway in the middle of the night.
According to HPD, the collision occurred around 1:15 a.m. in the 17100 block of Tomball Parkway. When officers arrived, they found a red Indian motorcycle lying in the center of the roadway, its severe damage pointing to a high-impact crash. Nearby, first responders located Knerl, who had suffered fatal injuries. Paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. HPD confirmed that he was the sole rider on the motorcycle at the time of the crash.
Investigators also located a Cat excavator a short distance away. The construction vehicle had damage along its rear section—damage police say appears consistent with being struck by a motorcycle. Officers noted that the excavator was still running and had been driven off the roadway before the operator fled the area. Because the driver left the scene, HPD is treating the case as a hit-and-run. Detectives are also exploring the possibility that the excavator may have been stolen or operated by someone unauthorized to use it.
Early findings suggest that the excavator was traveling along the roadway when Knerl’s motorcycle crashed into it from behind. However, investigators are still working to understand why the heavy construction equipment was being driven on the highway at that hour. They are reviewing factors such as visibility, lighting conditions, the speed of the motorcycle, and nearby surveillance footage. Witness statements will also play a crucial role as detectives work to piece together the events leading up to the collision.
HPD is urging the public to come forward with information on the individual who was operating the excavator that night. Anyone with details about the driver or the vehicle’s movements is asked to contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4065. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Investigators emphasize that even small pieces of information could help identify the suspect and bring clarity to the case.
As the investigation continues, the Tomball community is mourning the loss of Randal Knerl. Authorities say they are committed to uncovering the full truth and ensuring accountability in this tragic incident. Further updates are expected as HPD reviews additional evidence and continues its search for the excavator’s operator.
