A young Harlingen woman accused of slamming her speeding sports car into a minivan and killing a mother of three is on trial for manslaughter and in a surprise move both vehicles were displayed in front of the Cameron County Courthouse as evidence.
Police say Keila G. Nunez-Ortiz was speeding and using her cell phone when her white 2012 Nissan 350Z struck a gray passenger van driven by Silvia Mena, 40, of Harlingen, on May 20 at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and 21st Street.
In court today prosecutors called Harlingen police officer Jose Gonzalez and Marla Flores, a cell phone expert, to the stand.
Three more witnesses are expected to testify this afternoon. Ortiz’s lawyer Noe Garza says the trial could end today.
On Wednesday the mangled vehicles were parked in front of the courthouse and surround by crime scene tape. Both were protected by Harlingen police.
The violent crash was captured on a dash camera used by a Harlingen exterminator.
Several weeks after the accident Harlingen Police Sgt. David Osborne said investigators are relying on car computer systems to get more information about the crash, especially the rate of speed the Nissan was traveling.
For more on the story read Friday’s Valley Morning Star
