Intoxication manslaughter defendant failed field sobriety test, officer testifies

Kaleb Fajardo on trial; Sylvana Sandoval killed in 2016 crash

SAN ANTONIO – Kaleb Fajardo failed a field sobriety test at the scene of fatal drunken driving crash, a police officer said Thursday at the man's intoxication manslaughter trial.

Officer Christopher Lopez, of the San Antonio Police Department, testified that Fajardo, who was 19 years old at the time, appeared to be drunk when the officer drove him from the scene to the magistrate's office.

"He was passed out," Lopez testified. "His eyes (were) closed and his head starts drooping over. He's not moving or talking."

Before Fajardo was booked into the Bexar County Jail, samples of his blood were taken and sent to a lab to be analyzed to determine his blood-alcohol level. Prosecutors said they will introduce the lab results in the trial.

Prosecutors said Fajardo was driving a speeding pickup truck that broadsided a minivan driven by Sylvana Sandoval, who was exiting a parking lot on Rector Street behind North Star Mall on Feb. 26, 2016. Sandoval died from massive injuries she sustained in the crash.

If Fajardo is found guilty of intoxication manslaughter, he could face a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.

Testimony will continue Friday before State District Judge Laura Parker in Felony Impact Court.


About the Author:

Paul Venema is a courthouse reporter for KSAT with more than 25 years experience in the role.