HOUSTON, TX (04/12/2016) — On Tuesday evening, Jesse Estrada and Maria Sabillon were killed after their vehicle was struck by a speeding pickup truck.
Authorities have identified Baptist minister Jesse Estrada and his wife, Maria Sabillon, as the victims of a fatal street racing-related accident that occurred in the 4900 block of North Sam Houston Parkway West in Houston, Texas.
According to Sgt. S. Wolverton, at around 9:15 p.m., the driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck was said to be racing the driver of a Dodge Charger along the service road of Sam Houston Parkway. As they approached Bammel North Houston Rd., the driver of the Chevrolet ran a red light and struck a southbound BMW 330.
The two occupants of the BMW, Estrada and Sabillon, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Chevrolet fled the scene and has since eluded capture.
This collision remains under investigation.
Commentary
Although the driver who caused this accident has not yet been identified, we can say he or she will probably be charged with a hit-and-run, failure to render aid, and likely vehicular manslaughter. At minimum, drivers are supposed to stay at the scene and call emergency services after they’re involved in a collision that resulted in an injury.
I do not understand the thought process of someone who flees the scene of a serious car accident. Perhaps they had been drinking, and thought that they would escape intoxicated manslaughter charges, but in Texas, vehicular manslaughter and intoxication manslaughter are both second degree felonies.
To those affected by this tragedy, we offer our condolences.
