Woman Found Dead In Car Trunk After Chase Identified

A Texas high-speed chase that occurred Saturday morning ended with authorities finding a dead woman in the trunk of the car. The victim has been identified as 28-year old Briana Johnson.

Former classmate Tiffany Goodman spoke with 12 News, remembering Johnson. She also shared that Johnson and the driver of the car, Victor Campbell, were in a relationship.

Rich results when searching for "Victor Campbell Jr'

“It just doesn’t seem that this type of incident would happen to her. To be found in a trunk of a car it was just so heartbreaking,” Goodman said. 

Johnson and Goodman attended college together at TSU in Houston. She said they crossed paths multiple times and she described Johnson as a person with confidence that cared deeply for others.

Based on posts on social media, the two spent time in Galveston during the week of Johnson’s birthday. “It all looked good, but we never know what’s going on in someone’s household and I just don’t know what was the cause behind her tragic incident,” Goodman said. 

Rich results when searching for "Briana Johnson'

Full news release from the Texas Department of Public Safety…

At approximately 8 a.m. today, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers received a radio communication about a reckless driver—operating a white passenger vehicle—traveling eastbound on I-10 from Chambers County. 

A DPS Trooper observed a white Honda passenger vehicle traveling east at a high rate of speed. The Trooper activated the marked patrol vehicle’s emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop near FM 365. The driver, later identified as 35-year-old Victor Campbell Jr. of Fresno, Texas, pulled to the right but immediately sped off without stopping. 

Campbell continued eastbound on I-10 crashing near Milam Street in Beaumont. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment from injuries in the collision.

DPS investigators inventoried the Honda passenger vehicle (a recording of the vehicle’s contents), which is standard procedure following a motor vehicle crash under these circumstances. Troopers found in the trunk of the Honda, a deceased female. She has been identified as 28-year-old Briana Teirra Johnson of Houston. An autopsy has been ordered by Justice of the Peace Ben Collins.

The homicide is now being investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Ranger Division in cooperation with Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division, Beaumont Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Victor Campbell Jr. has been taken to the Jefferson County jail following his release from the hospital. He faces charges for felony evading arrest, driving while intoxicated, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse. Additional felony charges are pending as this investigation continues.

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Sunday, several Houston police officers searched a Houston home that is believed to be connected to her death, based on the evidence found at the crime scene in Beaumont. The investigation is still ongoing.

The family of Johnson has set up a GoFundMe account to go toward funeral expenses. They hoping get enough money to be able to afford to get her body sent back to her hometown in California. 

Here’s more form 12 News.