A 25-year-old Mercedes resident accused of causing a fatal crash in Weslaco last week told responding officers he only drank one glass of wine prior to the violent collision.
Weslaco police charged Clayton Wayne Neuhaus with intoxication manslaughter for the death of 47-year-old Jose Luis Martinez, who was hit and killed as he left Franky Flav’z last Thursday night.
The crash happened at approximately 11:26 p.m. that day in the 1300 block of South International Boulevard.
A responding police officer reported that upon arrival, they saw a white Ford Raptor with heavy front-end damage and a red Ford Focus, which was farther down the road.
“Officers approached the red Ford Focus and saw a lifeless male in the driver seat,” the affidavit said.
His vehicle had heavy damage to the driver’s side door.
“Jose Luis Martinez was seated in the driver seat, and the skin from his face was hanging to the side of his head,” the affidavit stated.
In a news release, Weslaco police said that Martinez had been attempting to turn north onto International Boulevard when Neuhaus crashed into him.
Police also said officers found no visible signs or road marks that indicated Neuhaus attempted to brake before impact, according to the release.
The affidavit said that witnesses to the crash told police they saw the driver of the Ford Raptor, Neuhaus, stumble as he exited his vehicle.
“A witness noted the driver appeared intoxicated,” the release stated.
During an interview with police, officers said Neuhaus had bloodshot eyes and spoke with slurred speech, according to the affidavit.
That document said Neuhaus told police he was driving southbound on International Boulevard when the red Ford Focus crossed into his lane.
“Neuhaus t-boned Jose Luis Martinez’s vehicle,” the affidavit stated.
Police said he failed a field sobriety test but did consent to a voluntary blood draw.
“During the Driving While Intoxicated interview Neuhaus mentioned he drank one glass of wine for dinner,” the affidavit stated.
Neuhaus, who is a member of the family that owns the private border wall in Mission, bailed out of jail on Oct. 1 on a $75,000 bond.
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