Gustavo Alvarez, a 19-year old teenager from Houston, was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter after fleeing the scene this week in Houston. He was drunk driving on Sunday, September 29, when he tried to pass a Lexus near the PlazAmericas Mall in Southwest Houston.
Alvarez rear-ended the Lexus and then lost control of his Honda Accord. He hit a tree and then a utility pole. His passenger, a 26-year old woman named Martha Ramos, was killed in the crash. She was ejected from the car after it hit the utility pole.
Immediately after the accident, Alvarez got out of the car and fled on foot. The driver of the Lexus, who was not injured, followed him and recorded him on her cell phone. When he noticed that she was following him, he tried to get into her car. She locked her doors and Alvarez took off.
When the police found him, Alvarez had a blood alcohol level of .248. That’s more than three times the legal limit in Texas. He claimed that he didn’t know the passenger and that he had picked her up at a local bar. He was on his way to her house when the accident took place.
The police determined that Alvarez was speeding at the time of the collision. In addition to being charged with DUI, he was charged with intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid.
In addition to the criminal charges, Alvarez may be facing more legal troubles. The family of Martha Ramos will likely file a wrongful death claim against Alvarez. As of today, her family has not made a statement regarding the accident.
If you or your loved one are injured in a drunk driving accident, you should call a lawyer immediately.