HOUSTON – A truck driver accused of driving under the influence after being involved in a chain-reaction crash that led to the death of a woman on the East Freeway appeared before a judge Wednesday morning.
Pablo Isai Frias, 31, is charged with intoxication manslaughter. The judge set a $100,000 bond for Frias during his court appearance.
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According to Houston police, a tan Chevrolet Tahoe, a Kenworth tractor-trailer truck, a Ford Transit and a Peterbilt tractor-trailer truck were all traveling eastbound near the 7800 block of the East Freeway around 11:35 a.m. on Monday.
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The Transit stopped due to traffic on the freeway and the Kenworth came to a stop behind it.
The Tahoe, driven by a 30-year-old woman, was possibly attempting to move to another lane and struck the rear of the trailer attached to the Kenworth.
The Peterbilt, driven by Frias, then struck the rear of the Tahoe.
The woman in the Tahoe was pronounced dead at the scene.
Frias, a truck driver of 12 years, was evaluated and determined to be intoxicated. Investigators said the father of three was unsteady and smelled of alcohol. Frias allegedly admitted to police that he drank about 12 ounces of beer the night before. Police said they believe to took a depressant. He was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged.
The identity of the victim is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.