Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in a fatal crash at 5900 Southwest Freeway (South U.S. Highway 59) about 3:55 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 9).
The suspect, Paul Rodriguez (H/m, 30), is charged with murder, intoxicated assault and driving while intoxicated with a child passenger in the 185th State District Court. A booking photo of Rodriguez is attached to this news release.
The identity of the female victim, 5 years of age, is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant S. Jewell and Officer C. Song reported:
Rodriguez was driving a black Honda Accord southbound on the Southwest Freeway and weaving in and out of traffic. Witnesses believed the driver to be intoxicated and followed the vehicle while also calling 911. The Honda then reportedly struck an 18-wheeler and did not stop and a witness reported honking the car’s horn to get the driver’s attention. At that time, the Honda began to veer to the right and then struck a red Mercedes and a white Box truck.
The impact caused a juvenile passenger (victim) to be ejected from the Honda. She was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Doctors pronounced the child deceased on Sunday (Oct. 10).
Rodriguez and two other juvenile male passengers – 2 and 4 years of age – sustained non-life threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital. No other persons involved in the crash were injured.
Officers determined Rodriguez was intoxicated and he was subsequently charged in the crash.
Paul Rodriguez
JFC/JKS 10-11-21
Inc #136312921-W