Houston Hit-and-Run Driver Charged With Intoxication Manslaughter

HOUSTON, Texas – A 39-year-old Houston hit-and-run suspect faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid after a man died in a crash early Sunday on North Highway 6, Houston police said.

Police said 39-year-old Jorge Alberto Zuniga is charged in the 263rd Criminal District Court. The crash happened about 4:25 a.m. on November 8 at 1401 North Highway 6.

What police say happened

According to investigators with the Vehicular Crimes Division, a gray Cadillac XT5 was disabled and stopped along the side of the roadway. Its driver was standing outside the vehicle.

A red Ford F150 struck the Cadillac, police said. The impact set off a chain reaction that fatally injured the Cadillac’s driver. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Adult female passengers in both vehicles suffered minor injuries. Both were taken to an area hospital.

Driver fled on foot, then returned

Police said the driver of the Ford ran from the scene on foot. He came back about an hour later and officers detained him.

Investigators determined he was intoxicated. Police consulted the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and Zuniga was then arrested and charged.

The dead man was 48 years old. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has not yet verified his identity.

Sergeants K. Bui and E. Alejandro and Officer J. Trevino of the HPD Vehicular Crimes Division reported the findings. The charges are accusations, and Zuniga has not been found guilty in court.

Readers can find more on intoxication manslaughter cases in the Houston area on our topic page.