HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – The 11-year-old daughter of an alleged drunken driver was killed and the rest of his family hospitalized in critical condition after a two-vehicle accident in northwest Harris County on Monday, authorities said.
Deputies said Jorge Ledezma Echavarria, 33, was driving a blue Chevrolet Tahoe eastbound near U.S. 90 when he ran a red light and crashed into another SUV heading north around 8:30 p.m. Monday near the intersection of the East Sam Houston Parkway and U.S. 90.
"He is charged with felony murder for his 11-year-old daughter. He is is charged with intoxication assault for his wife and intoxication assault for his son," said Sean Teare, vehicular crimes chief with the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
Echavarria appeared in court Wednesday, where prosecutors revealed his blood alcohol level during the crash was .201, nearly three times the legal limit.
Vanessa Ledezma, 11, was in the back seat of the Tahoe when the accident happened. She was rushed to Memorial Hermann via Life Flight where she later died, deputies said.
Her brother was also hospitalized and is in a coma, suffering from brain bleeding, and Echavarria’s wife has internal injuries and two pelvic fractures.
VIDEO: Jorge Ledezma Echavarria appears in court after crash that killed daughter
"The 15-year-old has suffered a brain bleed that's going to require some pretty intensive medical attention, and the wife has suffered a fractured pelvis," said Teare.
Echavarria’s bond was set at $200,000. The identities of his wife and son have not yet been released.
A GoFundMe account was created to help pay for Ledezma's funeral.