Odessa Man Arrested Following Hit-and-Run Crash and Rollover Incident in El Paso

On August 20, 2023, around 1:35 a.m., a police officer patrolling the 11800 block of Gateway West came across a harrowing scene—a traffic crash involving a rolled-over vehicle. The officer immediately took action upon discovering a 2019 white Nissan Titan that had rolled over, subsequently catching fire with the driver trapped inside.

Quick-thinking witnesses rushed to aid the trapped driver, successfully extricating them from the burning wreckage. Simultaneously, these witnesses provided vital information regarding a pickup truck that had fled the crash scene, presumably the cause of the collision. Acting promptly, the officer relayed a description of the fleeing vehicle to nearby law enforcement units.

In response to the description, officers swiftly located a silver 2022 Chevrolet Silverado in the vicinity of the accident, specifically at the 11700 block of Miriam. Near the damaged Silverado, law enforcement identified a male individual, later identified as 36-year-old Javier Melendez Jr. Melendez, a resident of Odessa, Texas, was promptly taken into custody for questioning.

As the investigation unfolded, officers noted several concerning factors. Melendez displayed clear signs of intoxication, and further examination revealed he had soiled himself during the course of events. Additionally, he was found to still be in possession of the keys to the Silverado truck in question.

Subsequently, Javier Melendez Jr. was officially charged with Driving While Intoxicated 2nd. Following the processing of legal formalities, he was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. The listed bond for his release was established in accordance with the charges brought against him.