Habitual drunk driver facing 6th DWI charge had blood alcohol content nearly 4 times the legal limit, records show
A San Antonio-area woman charged with drunk driving six times in four counties has so far avoided a lengthy prison sentence, despite picking up additional charges last fall while on probation for felony DWI.
Lawyer in charge of prosecuting SAPD detective went on to represent mistress after charges were dropped
Months after a special prosecutor agreed not to move forward with family violence and burglary charges against a fired San Antonio police detective, she was hired to represent the alleged victim, his mistress, in a separate case, the KSAT 12 Defenders confirmed Friday.
Cibolo city councilman faces DWI charge after crashing car into ditch
Councilman Reggie Bone, 48, was arrested Sunday morning following a single-vehicle crash near the intersection of Fazio Drive and Carnousty Drive in Cibolo, according to a blood-draw warrant obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders Monday afternoon.
SAPD officer with history of road rage shouted at other officer, repeatedly banged head against window during DWI arrest, report says
A San Antonio police officer accused of beating up a 61-year-old man after causing a drunk driving crash last week shouted at a fellow officer at the scene and repeatedly banged his head on the window of a patrol vehicle, according to a newly released report from his arrest.
Report: Alamo Colleges police dispatcher charged with DWI asked to be let go ‘because she is law enforcement too’
An Alamo Colleges Police Department dispatcher remains on the job, weeks after San Antonio police said she used her position in law enforcement to try and get out of being charged with drunk driving.
Officer found asleep behind the wheel, covered in own vomit suspended by SAPD following DWI arrest
A San Antonio Police officer arrested in May on an elevated DWI charge has been temporarily suspended by the department while his criminal case plays out, records obtained by the KSAT 12 Defenders show.
$20 million lawsuit filed against St. Mary’s Street bar, patron in connection with bicyclist’s death
A $20 million wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a St. Mary’s street bar and a patron who is accused of driving drunk before she hit and killed a 47-year-old mother of two who was riding her bicycle.
Former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach charged with DWI
A former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach is facing possible prison time after a car accident that critically injured a 5-year-old girl in February. CBS News national correspondent Jericka Duncan spoke to the attorney for the little girl's family after the charges were announced.
cbsnews.com‘I don’t want her life to be in vain’: Family of woman killed by suspected drunk driver seeks justice
Her sister’s organs were slowly failing but just like in life, her heart was the strongest and kept hanging on. “It just makes me want to be better because I don’t want anything that she did to be in vain,” Perkins said. Her family is exploring ways to raise awareness about drunk-driving, and mental health support for families following a tragic death. “The person who is drunk-driving, they just get to go on with their life. You know, it’s been a year and like, they’re out there with family like they’re all together,” she said.
DWI and reckless driving charges dropped against Bruce Springsteen
DWI and reckless driving charges dropped against Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen pleaded guilty to having shots of tequila at a New Jersey beach where drinking is illegal, but he was cleared of DWI and reckless driving charges.
cbsnews.comMan indicted in DWI crash that killed man riding in towed golf cart, DA’s office says
SAN ANTONIO – A man who is accused of driving while intoxicated, crashing into a golf cart that was being towed and killing the man who was riding in the cart has been formally charged. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office said Friday that Carlos Ramirez has been indicted for intoxication manslaughter, following the death of Pomp Jones. AdRamirez’s vehicle struck the golf cart from behind. The driver towing the golf cart was taken to Northeast Methodist Hospital with minor injuries. Read also:BCSO: 3-vehicle wreck involving golf cart shuts down intersectionTrail riding club asks for prayers after beloved member injured in wreck involving golf cart
San Antonio police officer arrested on DWI charge at La Cantera Parkway
Officer James Nicholson was arrested at 2:10 a.m. on Thursday in the 15900 block of La Cantera Parkway, according to San Antonio police. SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio police officer is on suspension after he was arrested for driving under the influence early Thursday morning, according to a department spokesperson. Officer James Nicholson was arrested at 2:10 a.m. on Thursday in the 15900 block of La Cantera Parkway, according to San Antonio police. Officer James Nicholson was arrested at 2:10 a.m., Thursday, in the 15900 block of La Cantera Parkway for a DWI, according to San Antonio police. (KSAT)His bond is set at $1,500 for the DWI charge and $2,000 for the unlawful carry of a handgun, Bexar County court records show.
Texas man seen drinking and driving in Facebook Live video before crash that killed 3 people
HOUSTON – A Texas man has been hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and is facing up to 80 years behind bars after he was seen drinking and driving in a Facebook Live video moments before a deadly crash that killed three people in Houston. Three charges of intoxication manslaughter have been filed against Camilo Morejon, 47, by the Harris County District Attorney, according to KPRC, in addition to one count of intoxication assault. Morejon was seen in the Facebook Live video behind the wheel on Sunday morning before crashing his silver Honda into a black pickup truck. The crash was caught on surveillance video at 7:53 a.m., just six minutes after the Facebook Live video. The victims “have been identified as Leosveyks Gonzalez, 35; Ricardo Rodriguez Tamayo, 40; and Massel Rodriguez Tamayo, 32.”According to KPRC, one of the passengers in the car was Morejon’s girlfriend.
Woman who lost parents to DWI crash dedicates life to help prevent similar incidents
SAN ANTONIO – Erin Crawford-Bowers grew up without her parents after they were killed in a DWI wreck when she was just 8 months old. Now a mother, herself, Crawford-Bowers is hoping to prevent others from experiencing a tragedy like the one her family did 35 years ago. Though Crawford-Bowers was too young to remember the wreck, she does vividly remember how hard it was to grow up without her parents. The mother of two dedicates much of her time working with the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization. Proceeds also help raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving in an effort to prevent families from being ripped apart.
San Antonio police officer arrested on DWI charge after driving at 100 mph and swerving, authorities say
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio police officer who was speeding at 100 miles per hour and swerving on Loop 410 has been charged with driving while intoxicated, according to authorities. SAPD officials said Officer Rafael Hernandez III, 26, was arrested around 3 a.m. Thursday after he was pulled over and given a DWI evaluation. The officer who pulled Hernandez over “determined that Hernandez was impaired” and placed him under arrest, according to a news release. Hernandez will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Officer Rafael Hernandez III was arrested on a DWI charge on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, according to SAPD.
San Antonio law enforcement makes multiple arrests during racer roundup operation
SAN ANTONIO – Multiple law enforcement agencies had a busy night across San Antonio, tracking down drivers with the intent to allegedly race on the roads and destroy property. Investigators said those involved raced on the interstate and frontage roads, did burnouts and spun donuts in parking lots and destroyed property. Arrests were made across San Antonio, including at Roosevelt and Military Drive, Marbach Road, Loop 410, Ingram and Loop 410, Highway 151 at Callaghan and 281 at Basse. According to police, the street racers were competing with other major cities in Texas to create havoc. RELATED: Man hospitalized after being struck by two vehicles while trying to cross Loop 410, police say
Corporal dragged by DWI suspect expected to return to work soon, Leon Valley police say
LEON VALLEY, Texas – Leon Valley Police Cpl. Louis Farias was the responding supervisor at the scene of a suspected DWI traffic stop Monday morning near Huebner Road and Peach Tree Street. Ozuniga refused to get out of the vehicle or open the window more than six inches. Police say they were forced to break a window to open the car the door open and get him out. Farias was stuck between the door and car, when he says the suspect reversed, full throttle.
SAPD sergeant arrested for DWI was swerving, smelled of alcohol, affidavit says
SAN ANTONIO – An affidavit has provided additional details about the DWI arrest of a San Antonio police sergeant, who has since been placed on administrative leave. Sergeant Glenn Michalec, 51, was arrested around 1 a.m. Sunday in the 21100 block of Blanco Road, near Gathering Oak, according to SAPD. An affidavit states a patrolling officer observed Michalec’s vehicle failing to stay in his lane “numerous times” while traveling northbound on Blanco. Michalec put what the officer suspected was gum or mint in his mouth before talking to the officer, the affidavit states. He consented to a field sobriety test, and the officer observed clues of impairment.
Suspect in apparent DWI rollover on North Side still at large, police say
SAN ANTONIO – The passenger involved in an apparent DWI rollover on the North Side is still at large, San Antonio police say. The rollover happened when the vehicle was traveling Northbound on Interstate Highway 281. Police say the driver of the vehicle lost control and rolled several times before landing on the wall divider of the north and southbound lanes. Police caught up with one of them and he is being held for a possible DWI charge. Related: SAPD: Driver arrested for DWI after rolling vehicle over on Northeast side
Defenders Debrief: What BCSO is doing to reduce number of deputy DWI arrests
SAN ANTONIO – The Defenders' Dillion Collier joins GMSA@9 to discuss what the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is doing to reduce the number of deputy DWI arrests. “At some point, you just gotta say ‘stop,’ draw the line in the sand, and say ‘we’re not tolerating it anymore,’” said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. Salazar, who has repeatedly said he would “cut them out like a cancer” after deputies run afoul of the law, contends that 2018 was the tipping point of having to address drunk-driving issues within the agency’s rank and file. To view the video, click above. Lose your job with BCSO: Sheriff says it’s that simple.
Drink. Drive. Lose your job with BCSO: Sheriff says it’s that simple.
“At some point, you just gotta say ‘stop,’ draw the line in the sand, and say ‘we’re not tolerating it anymore,’” said Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. That’s all I have in my life is working for Bexar County. During his first term in office, Salazar has pushed to update BCSO’s civil service process. As Bexar County Sheriff, the public’s safety will come first, and I have developed a solution to fill BCSO’s decimated ranks and restore the morale of our current force. The DA’s office and the Bexar County Clerk’s Office are the only county departments that require records to be paid for in their entirety before being processed for release.
Despite coronavirus shutdowns, San Antonio DWI arrests on par with 2019
SAN ANTONIO Extended periods of bar closures and the absence of Fiesta have not slowed down the number of DWI arrests for 2020, according to statistics from the San Antonio Police Department. In 2019, officers made 2,255 DWI arrests arrests between Jan. 1 and July 6, an SAPD public information officer told KSAT. This year, they made 2,168 DWI arrests during the same time, a difference of less than 4%. In April, KSAT reported that at the start of the pandemic shutdowns, DWI arrests were down for a time. SAPD reported 147 DWI arrests in the 25 days after bars were ordered to close on March 18 compared to 318 DWI-related arrests in the 25 days prior to the order.
Independence Day DWIs down in San Antonio, but still cause for concern, police say
This Fourth of July, San Antonio police made 11 DWI arrests. Even though San Antonio city and Bexar County parks were closed, and major events throughout the area were canceled, this year’s numbers weren’t much lower than last year’s when there were 15. San Antonio police officer Doug Greene says the slight improvement isn’t anything to brag about. Man killed in wrong-way crash had plans to marry, relative says”My daughter’s just turned five... last week. And it’s it’s really tough to explain to her that, you know, her dad passed away because of the drunk driver,” Salama said.
SAPD: Driver crashed into gas line at apartment complex, detained for DWI
Published: July 3, 2020, 5:08 am Updated: July 3, 2020, 5:30 amSAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police say a drunken driver was detained overnight after he crashed into a 6-inch gas main at a Northwest Side apartment complex. Police responded to the crash at 1 a.m. Friday at the Windbury Apartments in the 4500 block of Gardendale. Following the crash, police discovered natural gas was flowing out of a pipe. CPS Energy was called out to shut down the gas line, avoiding an evacuation. The driver was detained for suspicion of driving while intoxicated, police said.
Officials release photo of woman who police say drove under influence with kids, crashed into SAPD cruiser
SAN ANTONIO The Bexar County Sheriffs Office has released a photo of a 30-year-old woman who crashed into a police cruiser early Wednesday. Officers said Hernandez-Benavidez was traveling southbound on SW Loop 410 when she swerved as traffic slowed, hitting a police cruiser. Authorities said four children under the age of 15 were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, but were not hurt. The San Antonio Fire Department and EMS crews assisted in removing the children from the vehicle. Police said the officers neck was sore from the collision, but that he refused treatment at the scene.
SAPD: Woman charged with DWI after crashing vehicle with children into police cruiser
SAN ANTONIO A 30-year-old woman was arrested following a vehicle crash with a police cruiser overnight, San Antonio police said. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. Wednesday in the 400 block of SW Loop 410, not far from Highway 151 on the citys far West Side. According to police, Anabelle Karina Hernandez-Benavidez was traveling southbound on SW Loop 410 with four children in her vehicle when she swerved as traffic slowed, hitting a police cruiser. Police said the officer was sitting in a parked vehicle with its lights on assisting a traffic accident when his vehicle was struck. The San Antonio Fire Department and EMS crews assisted in removing the children from the vehicle.
Pandemic has led to fewer DWI arrests in the area, officials say
SAN ANTONIO – It seems the COVID-19 pandemic has led to fewer people drinking and driving, as there have been a lot fewer DWI arrests in our area. Between March 18 and April 13, SAPD reported that officers made 147 DWI arrests. Compare that to the 25 days before the mayor's order, where SAPD reported 318 DWI-related arrests. That’s compared to 60 DWI arrests in the 25 days prior to the order. On San Pedro Avenue, establishments that sell to-go drinks, like Beer N All, had lines at the drive-thru Wednesday.
Woman gets 6-year prison sentence in DWI wreck that killed man, injured 4
Woman gets 6-year prison sentence in DWI wreck that killed man, injured 4Published: March 6, 2020, 6:21 pmA woman convicted of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault charges has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Woman gets 6-year prison sentence in DWI wreck that killed man, injured 4
SAN ANTONIO – A woman convicted of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault charges has been sentenced to six years in prison. A Bexar County jury sentenced Rosalinda Olalde, who caused a DWI crash that killed a man, on Friday after several hours of deliberation. Witnesses describe emotional damage left by fatal DWI wreckOn Aug. 10, 2018, Olalde was driving drunk and crashed broadside into a car, killing 22-year-old Mario Velasquez-Palau. “Everything changed, my parents will never be the same,” said Valerie Velasquez-Palau while sobbing on the witness stand. “Losing somebody who was that close, it’s really like losing a brother.”
Witnesses describe emotional damage left by fatal DWI wreck
During closing arguments in the punishment phase of Olalde's trial, prosecutors asked the jury to sentence her to “the high end” of the punishment range. (Original Story)The damage caused by a fatal DWI crash the night of Aug. 10, 2018, went far beyond the twisted wreckage of the vehicles involved. Emotional scars left from the wreck were clearly visible Thursday during the punishment phase of Rosalinda Olalde’s trial. Olalde, 24, was found guilty Wednesday of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault. He was everything to us.”Jury finds woman accused in intoxication manslaughter case guilty after deliberating for seven hoursFour passengers in Velasquez-Palau’s car were critically injured, including Guendy Murrillo, who also testified.
Man arrested on suspicion of DWI after crashing car in Taco Cabana parking lot, police say
SAN ANTONIO – A man has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated after he flipped his car, which landed on its roof in the parking lot of a Taco Cabana on the South Side. Police say the man was driving too fast in the wrong direction down W Theo Avenue around midnight when he flipped his vehicle. Man killed by driver while trying to get to taco truckFirefighters were able to free the man from the car, according to police. San Antonio police referred to the man as “very intoxicated.”
Drunken driver who killed motorcyclist sentenced to 40 years in prison
SAN ANTONIO – In late October, a jury found 57-year-old Ricky Cantu guilty of murder in the death of Rudy Borrego. Cantu chose to have Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl, rather than the jury, assess his punishment. After a sentencing hearing on Thursday, she ordered that Cantu serve 40 years in prison. Three hours later on that Feb. 24, 2018, evening, Martinez-Borrego said she was at the morgue to identify her husband’s body. Martinez-Borrego said that she is facing eviction from their home at the end of this month and her car is being repossessed.
Suspected drunken driver hit jogger at 50+ mph, didn’t brake, San Antonio police say
“She wasn’t comfortable with (Lopez) driving and (Lopez) said no,” according to the affidavit, and she decided to follow her home. At one point she reached speeds up to 70 mph, according to the affidavit. Lopez’s vehicle was traveling at 52 mph at the time of impact with the jogger, the affidavit states. San Antonio student, 18, critically injures jogger while driving 30 mph over speed limit: SheriffShe was transported to University Hospital where a blood sample was drawn. The jogger suffered a femur fracture, a tibia-fibula fracture, six rib fractures, a facial fracture, and a skull fracture, according the affidavit.
Salazar email to deputies: DWI issue 'again reared its ugly head'
SAN ANTONIO - Hours after an off-duty Bexar County Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, Sheriff Javier Salazar sent an agencywide email stating that the DWI issue had "again reared its ugly head." Here is Salazar's email in its entirety:Unfortunately, a BCSO Deputy was arrested for DWI overnight. Stay Safe,Sheriff Javier SalazarCLICK HERE: Bexar County Sheriff's deputy arrested overnight on DWI chargeMaldonado, 29, was arrested just after 2 a.m. Saturday on the access road of the 13500 block of I-10 West. Following his arrest, Maldonado was removed from the agency's Special Emergency Response Team. According to arrest records compiled by the Defenders, Maldonado is the 14th deputy arrested this year.