HARRIS COUNTY – A man has died and a driver has been arrested following a crash Monday night in northeast Harris County near Channelview.
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The incident happened in the 9200 block of Sheldon Road and Crosby Freeway. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division, the driver, identified as Joaquin Compean-Juarez, 49, was traveling westbound in his Ford F-150 in the main lanes of Crosby Freeway when he lost control of his truck. Investigators say this is when Compean-Juarez drove off the road, through the grass embankment, and onto the northbound lanes of Sheldon Road.
At the same time, a Ford Fiesta was approaching the intersection when the car was struck by Compean-Juarez’s truck. HCSO reports the driver of the Ford Fiesta, identified as 21-year-old Sebastian Benitez-Mendoza, was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from his car upon impact. Benitez-Mendoza was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to investigators, Compean-Juarez showed clear signs of intoxication at the scene and was taken into custody. Compean-Juaraz has been charged with Felony Murder.
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Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez says this is not Compean-Juarez’s first offense; records show he has two prior convictions for driving while intoxicated.
The investigation remains ongoing.