Hunter Cameron Villasana fatally ran over a sleeping homeless woman and tried to bribe burger restaurant employees who held him at the scene for cops, prosecutors said. (Mug shot: Houston Police Department)
A 17-year-old driver allegedly ran over a sleeping homeless woman while drunk and then tried to bribe burger restaurant employees who were holding him for authorities.
Hunter Cameron Villasana, 17, is charged in Harris County, Texas, with intoxication manslaughter. Online records show he posted a $200,000 bond.
Villasana was behind the wheel during the fatal crash at 7700 Katy Freeway (West Interstate Highway 10) service road at about 11:25 p.m. on Friday, according to the Houston Police Department.
“A black Mercedes GLK350 was traveling eastbound near the above address and attempted to turn northbound onto Silber Road at an unsafe speed,” police said. “The Mercedes failed to stay in a single lane, struck a curb and a pedestrian sleeping on the median before striking a wall. The driver of the Mercedes, later identified as Villasana, attempted to flee the scene but was detained by witnesses.”
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is working on identifying the woman. Police described her as being in her 50s, and they asked anyone who might know her to reach out to them, according to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU.
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In court on Monday, Harris County prosecutors reportedly said that Jack in the Box employees held Villasana for cops. The state claims the teen attempted to bribe the workers, offering to send them money through Venmo if they released him.
He also allegedly lied to investigators by claiming the victim had been walking in the middle of the street.
The teenager’s attorney, Doug Murphy, told Law&Crime in a statement over the phone that the incident was a “tragic accident” and his client is a “great young kid.” Villasana and his family “are torn up about it,” he said.
Murphy asked everyone to reserve judgment and wait for the facts, which he suggested would show a different story.
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