TEXAS: El Paso Police charged DUI driver Jose Mendez with killing pedestrian and then running from scene like a coward

TEXAS: El Paso Police charged DUI driver Jose Mendez with killing pedestrian and then running from scene like a coward

EL PASO, TEXAS: El Paso Police report that a DUI driver ran down a pedestrian and attempted to flee the scene.

The Special Traffic Investigation unit of the El Paso Police Department responded to assist Westside patrol with a single vehicle collision involving a pedestrian just before 9 p.m., Saturday at 7100 Westwind.

Police say that the preliminary investigation revealed that Jose MENDEZ was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado, traveling at a high rate of speed, west at 7100 block of Westwind, when he ran a stop sign, a traffic light and struck a male pedestrian.

MENDEZ, the truck, and the pedestrian crossed Redd continuing west into Franklin High School property.

MENDEZ fled the scene of foot and was located a short time later. The male pedestrian was transported to University Medical Center where he died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the collision.

A 17-year old passenger in the truck sustained minor injuries and was transported to Las Palmas for treatment. MENDEZ was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility for Intoxication Manslaughter and Accident involving Death.

His bonds totaled $350,000.00. Speed and alcohol are factors in this collision. The STI unit has confirmed that this is the 26th traffic related fatality of 2017 compared to 35 during this same time period in 2016.