posted October 22, 2008
A witness said he and five others had been drinking at the Macarena bar before a crash on Interstate 24 on Oct. 11 that killed three of the men.
Charges against Mario Lopez, 23, of 7618 Bishop Dr., were bound to the Grand Jury on Tuesday by General Sessions Court Judge Christie Sell.
Lopez remains in jail under an INS hold. He is charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, DUI, reckless aggravated assault, driving without a license, and driving too fast for conditions.
Miguel Angel Hernandez-Ramirez said they were driving near Spring Creek Road and were jammed in a Mustang. He said he was about to doze off when he felt the vehicle go out of control.
Officer David Allen said the vehicle struck a tree before becoming embedded in brush. He said it was apparent that three of the men had died. One was crushed under the vehicle and another was crushed inside.
Those who escaped were able to crawl out or were ejected.
In court, two of the three survivors had their arms in slings. They were hurt around the shoulder and collarbone.
Mr. Hernandez-Ramirez said he and the driver were able to escape because when the vehicle struck a tree, it hit on the passenger side. He said he was sitting directly behind Lopez, the driver.
Jay Woods was the prosecutor and Public Defender Ardena Garth was the defense attorney.
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