An Alton man is scheduled to be arraigned next week on an intoxicated manslaughter charge over allegations that he killed his passenger when he crashed into a tree while drunk.
Fabian Hernandez, 22, was charged with intoxicated manslaughter after allegedly crashing into a tree that killed 38-year-old Luis Armando Santana Valero last year.
Hernandez was indicted on March 16.
According to the affidavit, McAllen police responded to the 4600 block of west State Highway 107 around 5:59 a.m. where they found Hernandez in his gray 2015 Nissan Altima on Sept. 18.
“Mr. Hernandez was driving west bound on State Highway 107 and veered off the roadway and collided with a tree,” the affidavit said. “The passenger of his vehicle, [Santana], eventually died of his injuries at the hospital.”
At the scene, officers reported smelling the odor of alcohol emitting from Hernandez and in the vehicle, according to the affidavit.
In addition, one officer found an empty bottle of liquor inside the vehicle, the affidavit stated.
Police obtained Hernandez’s medical records through a subpoena the following day which revealed that he had alcohol in his system upon arrival at the hospital.
It’s not immediately clear why there’s a gap between the time of the crash and Hernandez’s arrest as he was taken into custody in early February.
Valero’s obituary lists the date of his death as Sept. 27.
Hernandez bailed out of the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center on a $30,000 bond the same day as his arrest.
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