HARLINGEN — A Mercedes man has been arraigned on manslaughter charges in connection with a fatal car accident that occurred Sunday.
Jim Henry Cavazos, 43, was arraigned on a second-degree felony charge for intoxication manslaughter related to the death of a 32-year-old Harlingen man.
His bond was set at $100,000. He was transported to the Cameron County Jail.
Elisha Elizondo, 32, of Harlingen was killed Sunday afternoon when his car was hit broadside by Cavazos’s black Mazda.
At the time, Cavazos was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Elizondo was driving east on Van Buren Avenue in a Ford Taurus when he was hit by Cavazos who was traveling southbound on 3rd Street, police said.
According to a Facebook post by a family member, Elizondo was married with a 3-year-old child. It also stated he was a pharmacist.
Cavazos has a criminal history.
In 2014, he and another man were arrested for stealing beer from a convenience store.
An employee from the store said Cavazos and another man walked in, grabbed snacks and beer and ran.
A records check showed both men had outstanding court warrants and multiple theft convictions, resulting in more serious charges.
Sunday’s accident occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. in the middle of the intersection, which has a traffic light.
The Mazda was traveling so fast the Taurus was pushed sideways about 50 feet past the intersection down 3rd Street, police reported.
The impact was on the Taurus’ driver’s side, which was pushed inward to almost the center of the car.
“To be pushed that far sideways, that’s a high rate of speed,” Officer Larry Moore said at the scene.
Cavazos’ blood alcohol level was not readily available to media.
