Texas Family Allegedly Killed by Drunk Driver with Warrant for Prior Drunk Driving Conviction

HOUSTON, Texas – Three people from a Texas family were killed over the weekend by a suspected drunk driver who had an outstanding warrant for a previous drunk driving conviction according to Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman.

25-year-old Jeremy Valdez, a U.S. citizen born in Texas, was reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol early Saturday morning when he blasted through a red light on the north side of Houston and crashed into a car killing three people from one family, according to information received from Constable Herman’s office by Breitbart Texas. At the time of the accident, Valdez had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for a 2010 drunk driving charge.

After the crash, Valdez attempted to flee the scene according to witnesses.  The suspect was chased down by a wrecker driver who ran track and played football in high school, KTRK ABC13 reported. The wrecker driver held Valdez down until deputies arrived.

Raw crash scene video via Harris County Police Reporter’s Scott Engle:

Constable Herman reported his deputies “could smell a strong odor or alcohol about his person.” Other field tests were administered and Valdez reportedly failed them as well.

The family members identified as Emilio Avila, 33; Adla Nolasco, 41; and Klein Oak High School senior, Mauricio Ramires, 18, according to Harris County Police Reporter’s Scott Engle. Ramires was scheduled to graduate from Klein Oak on June 4. Ironically, Valdez is also a Klein ISD alumni having attended Klein Collins High School, Constable Herman told Breitbart Texas.

The family’s Honda sedan was no match for the suspect’s Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck which plowed broadside into the driver’s side door. All three family members were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

Court records obtained by Breitbart Texas show three counts of felony murder have been filed against Valdez who sits in the Harris County jail without bond. In addition to his previous DUI charge, Valdez also has a 2008 felony conviction for criminal mischief over $1,500 but less than $20,000. He was sentenced to spend 16 months in state jail. The criminal complaint revealed that the then 18-year-old Valdez was intoxicated and became angry. He threw rocks at a pickup truck, breaking out several windows and causing an estimated $3,000 damage to the truck.

In January 2011, court records show Valdez was sentenced to another 12 days in county jail for driving while intoxicated. His driver license was suspended and he was fined $300. He was given time to pay the fine, but failed to pay per the agreement. This resulted in the warrant for his arrest that was outstanding at the time. Less than a month after getting out of county jail, records show Valdez was arrested again for driving on a suspended license. He was found guilty and spent another 10 days in jail.

In 2012 Valdez again made the news when his 2-year-old son was mauled to death by a pit bull after being left unattended at the child’s grandmother’s house, Scott Engle reported. The child died just short of his second birthday. Valdez friends said they noticed a “downturn” in him after that.

Ramires had just picked up his cap and gown for his pending graduation. Students at his school said they had just seen a “Live Your Dreams” presentation about the dangers of distracted and drunk driving, KTRK reported. One of his teachers, Jessica Hinton said, “He was an amazing young man.” The school’s principal said future presentations of the “Live Your Dreams” program will be dedicated to Ramires’ memory.

Valdez spent part of the weekend at Ben Taub Hospital for treatment of injuries he received in the crash. He currently sits in the Harris County jail facing three counts of felony murder. No bond has been set for the murder suspect.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and is a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.