A Texas teenager stands accused of causing the death of a homeless woman while allegedly driving under the influence.
The incident occurred late on a Friday night, December 15, 2023, in Houston, Texas, when Hunter Cameron Villasana, 17, operating a black Mercedes GLK350, lost control of the vehicle on Silber Road, resulting in the fatal accident.
According to the Houston Police Department, the teenager was driving at an excessive speed when his vehicle hit a curb and subsequently struck the woman, who was sleeping on the median.
The impact was severe enough to cause the car to crash into a nearby wall. The unidentified woman, believed to be in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Realizing what he had done, Villasana allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot. However, employees at a nearby Jack in the Box restaurant intervened, detaining him until law enforcement arrived.
Prosecutors claim that Villasana tried to bribe the fast-food workers, offering them money via Venmo to let him escape.
Villasana made a court appearance on Monday, December 18, where he faced charges of intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony.
He appeared noticeably shell-shocked during the proceedings. To mitigate the risk of repeat offenses, the judge ordered Villasana to abstain from driving and to wear a SCRAM device, an ankle monitor that detects alcohol consumption. He was released on a $200,000 bond to his parents’ custody.
This incident has highlighted the ongoing issue of intoxicated driving in Harris County. Prosecutor Matthew Bergeron emphasized the severity of drunk driving, urging residents to seek alternative transportation methods if impaired.
Villasana’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 20, 2024.