Suspects Arrested, Charged in Fatal Traffic Accident at 3200 Telephone Road

October 11, 2010 - Charges have been filed against two suspects arrested in a fatal traffic accident at 3200 Telephone Road about 11:40 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 8).

Hernan Rodriguez Torres (H/m, DOB: 12/9/73) is charged with intoxication manslaughter in the 180th State District Court. Rodolfo Lopez Salinas (H/m, DOB: 12/9/83) is charged with felony evading arrest in the 209th State District Court and driving while intoxicated in Harris County Criminal Court #13.

The victim, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is pending notification to family members by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

HPD Vehicular Crimes Sergeant J.K. Richard and Officer N. Rosenblatt reported:

An off-duty Houston police officer witnessed Torres and Salinas assaulting a male behind a restaurant on Edgebrook and the Gulf Freeway service road. The suspects then got into a white Chevrolet Suburban and fled the scene, with Salinas driving. The officer followed at a safe distance and advised a dispatcher of the suspects' location. An HPD Helicopter began following the suspects and provided updates on their location. The suspects then stopped under an overpass and switched driving positions, and Torres began driving the Suburban. When the suspects reached 610 and Telephone Road, a marked HPD patrol vehicle was able to get behind the suspects and the officer activated its emergency equipment. The suspects then fled at a high rate of speed, traveling northbound on Telephone Road. The patrol officer was unable to keep up. As the suspects continued fleeing on Telephone Road, they struck the rear of a gray Toyota Corolla. The suspects' Suburban then flipped on its side, struck a telephone pole, breaking it into two pieces, and then slid down the street until it came to a stop at the corner of Telephone and Oakcliff. The driver of the Corolla was pronounced dead at the scene and his male passenger, 32, was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital. A Harris County Precinct 6 deputy constable witnessed the suburban traveling down Telephone Road and was able to arrest both suspects shortly after the crash. Both Torres and Salinas were transported to Ben Taub General Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

JKS/JFC 10-11-10
Inc. #143311410