Posts Tagged ‘drunk’

Joana Jaqueline Rodriguez accused of driving drunk, trying to run down police officer

ABC Channel 13 News is reporting that Joana Jaqueline Rodriguez has been charged with aggravated assault and is accused of driving drunk and trying to run down a police officer with her car when the officer tried to arrest her. On May 20th police were responding to a trespassing call at an apartment complex in the 2200 block of Wirt Road. An officer arrived and reportedly found Ms. Rodriguez intoxicated.  30-year old Ms. Rodriguez got into her vehicle and started the engine, then refused to exit the vehicle when instructed to do so. She was then placed under arrest for public intoxication, and when the officer tried to remove her from the vehicle she put the vehicle in reverse and hit the accelerator. The officer was then pinned between the vehicle door and the passenger compartment as the vehicle traveled in circles.  Police say Rodriguez then put the vehicle in drive and tried to run over the officer, but the officer was able to take shelter between apartment buildings.  Rodriguez fled with the officer’s handcuffs still attached to one of her wrists.  Rodriguez’ vehicle was found at another apartment complex across the street and inside it were items that identified Rodriguez, including her passport.

William Thomas Johnson charged with intoxication manslaughter for Eastex Freeway crash

William Thomas Johnson, 48, of Houston has been charged with intoxication manslaughter for his involvement in a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday that claimed the life of a 43-year old man driving a Volkswagen Jetta (see our previous blog post on the crash). Police say Johnson was drunk when he ran a red light crashing into the Jetta and striking other vehicles also. The pickup initially struck the passenger side of the blue Volkswagen Jetta, then struck three other vehicles that were heading westbound on Tidwell.

The crash happened at the intersection of the Eastex Freeway service road and Tidwell. Johnson reportedly was traveling at considerable speed when he entered the intersection: one witness estimated Johnson’s speed to be between 60 and 80 MPH. Video footage on Channel 11’s web site shows a newer model silver-colored pickup truck truck flipped over onto its passenger side, though it is not clear if that flipped truck is Johnson’s or one of the motorists he struck.

The driver of this Volkswagen Jetta was killed in the collision

For more than 23-years Smith & Hassler has represented the victims of intoxicated driving. If you have suffered due to a drunk driver’s selfish choices we want to help.

Driver of Kia killed in collision with pickup truck on Tomball Parkway

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a three car accident on the Tomball Parkway (Texas 249) has left one person dead. The wreck happened at around 4:10am in the northbound lanes of the parkway according to Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Officials temporarily shut down all three northbound lanes of Tomball Parkway as emergency workers cleared the scene.

According to an article on Channel 13’s web site, investigators spoke to an accident witness who said a female driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck was speeding when she ran a red light before entering the intersection of Highway 249 and Boudreaux. The pickup truck driver then hit two cars, one heading east and the other heading west. The lone driver of a gold-colored Kia 4-door car was killed in the accident. Also involved in the crash was a Toyota Celica with two occupants, both injured: the driver of the Celica was listed as being in critical condition. The woman driving the pickup truck admitted that she had been drinking at a bar where she works.

The driver of this Kia sedan was killed when the Chevrolet pickup ran a red light. The pickup driver had been drinking.

Smith & Hassler’s highly experienced personal injury attorneys aggressively represent clients in Houston and throughout Texas who have been injured by drunk drivers. If you or a family member have been the victim of a drunk driving accident, contact Smith & Hassler to speak to an attorney right away.

Suspected drunk driver kills 4-year old boy, critically injures 3-year old in crash on Harwin

Houston has another horrific example of the tragedy that can come from drunk driving. A suspected drunk driver lost control of his vehicle last night, crashing into an killing a four-year old little boy and critically injuring his 3-year old brother. The accident happened around 11:00pm on March 17 at Harwin and Parkfront. The 4-year old died at the scene and the 3-year old was rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital with burns on 40% of his body; he may be transported to Shriner’s Hospital.
Police say the two brothers were sitting on the porch with their dad who was grilling. The suspected drunk driver was heading westbound on Harwin when he lost control. The car missed a tree, metal staircase and pillar prior to crashing into the boys. The suspected drunk driver was not hurt in the collision and is in custody with charges pending.
God bless the two little boys and their family.
Update: The suspected drunk driver has been identified as Luis Hector Lopez. Lopez has been charged with intoxication manslaughter and is being held without bond. A Channel 2 News story shows a picture of Luis Hector Lopez’ silver-colored Ford Crown Victoria embedded in the front porch of the apartment at 10200 Harwin.

Hector Luis Lopez has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after crashing his Ford Crown Victoria into an apartment porch, killing a 4-year old boy and seriously injuring a 3-year old.

TSU students chase drunk driver after accident on Scott Street

After a highly intoxicated driver rear-ended their car on Scott Street last night and took off, two TSU students gave chase. The students followed the drunk driver as he drove on the Gulf Freeway and sped through several neighborhoods. The drunk driver eventually trapped himself by driving into a dead-end street on Val Verde near Chimney Rock: he tried to drive over the grass to get away but the student driving the car blocked him in. The suspect then got out of his SUV and attempted to flee, but the student gave chase. The victims were on the phone with the 911 operator while they pursued the suspect, and police arrived at the scene and arrested the man. Channel 2’s story is here. Hats off to the TSU students for helping take a drunk driver off the streets. Smith & Hassler’s Houston personal injury attorneys aggressively pursue claims against drunk drivers who injure others.

Child ejected in possible DWI accident on I-45 in Conroe

A serious auto accident on Interstate 45 in Conroe yesterday caused a child to be ejected. The accident happened just before 6:00pm on the section of I-45 between Wilson Road and Texas 105. Conroe Police Department say that a Dodge Dakota pickup truck was pulling a bass boat heading southbound on I-45. The trailer started jumping, possibly because of a tire failure, and the driver lost control. The pickup truck struck a Ford Explorer SUV traveling next to it, slicing the Explorer‘s tire, flipping it over. There were two adults and a child in the Explorer: according to investigators the child was not restrained in a child seat and was ejected when the Explorer came to rest upside down. The child landed more than 80 feet away and suffered fractured ribs and a head injury and was life-flighted to Memorial Hermann Hospital – The Woodlands. The driver of the pickup truck was arrested on suspicion of Driving While Intoxicated and could face a charge of intoxication assault due to the serious injuries caused. The accident remains under investigation. Channel 13’s report can be read here and refers to the injured child as a toddler and as being female. Channel 2 News’ coverage of the accident is here, and describes the child as being a 7-year old boy.

A child was ejected and thrown more than 80 feet when this Explorer was hit by a drunk driver on Interstate 45

Smith & Hassler’s experienced personal injury attorneys aggressively pursue settlements for those injured and victimized by drunk drivers. If you have been involved in a crash with an intoxicated driver, contact Smith & Hassler right away.