Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in a fatal crash at 2900 West Dallas Street about 2:15 a.m. on November 13, 2022.
The suspect, Juan Depaz, Jr., 32, is charged with three counts of failure to stop and render aid involving death in the 209th State District Court. A booking photo of Depaz is attached to this news release.
Three men were killed in the crash. They were identified as Luis Ramirez Torres, 24, Jacob Rodriguez, 23, and Johnny Aguilar, 26. A fourth male, 24, was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant L. Le and Officer L. Fenoglio reported:
A gray Jeep Grand Cherokee and blue Maserati Ghibli were traveling eastbound at the above address when the Jeep failed to maintain a single lane and struck the Maserati. The Maserati left the roadway and struck a utility pole and a patio fence. The Jeep continued eastbound on West Dallas and struck a utility pole at Eberhard Street.
There were four people inside the Maserati at the time of the crash. Paramedics pronounced two passengers deceased at the scene. A third passenger was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Doctors pronounced him deceased on December 2, 2022.
The Maserati driver fled the scene on foot, but was later brought back to the scene by family members. He was then transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
There were multiple people inside the Jeep at the time of the crash. The driver and passengers failed to stop and render aid, and fled the scene on foot.
Further investigation identified the wanted driver of the Jeep as Depaz. On April 25, Depaz was indicted by a Harris County grand jury for his role in the crash. On May 2, he was arrested without incident.
Juan Depaz, Jr.
2nd Update: JFC/VHS 5-6-24
Update: VHS/SOA 12-2-22
SOA/JKS 11-14-12
Inc. #153413422-A