Son of street-racing TV star charged in Houston after violent street racing crash

The remains of a street racer are hauled off after the driver allegedly crashed into onlookers, severely injuring two people March 17, 2019. The remains of a street racer are hauled off after the driver allegedly crashed into onlookers, severely injuring two people March 17, 2019. Photo: Tim Bristow/Metro Video Services Photo: Tim Bristow/Metro Video Services Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Son of street-racing TV star charged in Houston after violent street racing crash 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

Deputies have filed charges against a driver accused of drag racing and crashing into two pedestrians, severely injuring them back in late March.

Ronald Gray Pace III, 28, is facing two felony charges after allegedly racing along Houston Oaks Drive near Sam Houston Parkway late March 29, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. He crashed into two pedestrians after losing control at high speeds, Gonzalez said.

Pace is the son of Ronnie "Barefoot" Pace, who's best known for his role on the Discovery Channel street racing show "Street Outlaws," according to Sean Teare, chief of the Harris County District Attorney's Office Vehicular Crimes Division.

Pace has yet to be arrested but faces two second-degree felony counts of racing causing serious bodily injury, Gonzalez said. The driver competing against Pace – who won the race without crashing – could also face charges, detectives announced at a press conference Tuesday morning.

"(We're) hoping that street racers will get the message and stay off our roads," Gonzalez said. "(We want) to send the message that illegal street racers will be held accountable for their crimes in Harris County."

The crash happened the same weekend as the legally sanctioned TX2K19 racing event in Baytown, which drew hundreds of racers from the area onto Houston streets. Just days before the crash, deputies with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office arrested four drivers accused of racing along the Katy Freeway.

Pace is facing up to 20 years in prison, if convicted. Both victims are expected to survive.

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message