According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, on May 6 at approximately 1:15 a.m., a 25-year-old man was driving on FM 1774 when his 2008 Dodge Ram pick-up left the road, driving into a ditch. The vehicle collided with two trees before coming to rest on its side.
The 47-year-old passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was transported to Tomball Regional Medical Center and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Upon his release from the hospital, the man who was driving was arrested and taken to Montgomery County Jail on a drunk driving charge. It was not stated whether he has an attorney.
No other cars were involved in the accident. The crash occurred in the Magnolia area, south of Hunter’s Road. Police did not state what led them to believe that the driver may have been under the influence.
Intoxicated manslaughter occurs when a person is found to be driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, and someone dies as a result. When a person is accused of driving under the influence, a local criminal defense attorney may be able to help. Early on, an attorney can represent a client in conversations with police and argue for release pending trial. It may be possible to dispute the admissibility of evidence, such as blood test results obtained without a warrant, or to negotiate a plea bargain to a lesser charge. An attorney may also be able to take the case to trial, cross-examine the witnesses and try to establish the reasonable doubt needed to obtain an acquittal.
Source: The Houston Chronicle, “Driver in fatal wreck goes from hospital to jail near Magnolia“, Dale Lezon, May 06, 2013