March 18, 2019 - Charges have been filed against a suspect wanted in a fatal crash involving an 11-year-old boy that occurred at 7800 Hammerly Boulevard about 10:10 p.m. on June 8, 2018.
 
The suspect, Omar Aregnis Reyes-Ventura (H/m, 27), is charged with intoxication manslaughter, two counts aggravated assaulted causing serious bodily injury and two counts intoxicated assault in the 338th State District Court.  A photo of Reyes-Ventura, taken in 2014, is attached to this news release.  He remains at large at this time.

The victim, Alex Mendiola, 11, was pronounced dead at an area hospital. 
 
HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant S. Maness and Officer M. Nicotra reported:

The victim was a backseat passenger in a gray Honda Civic traveling southbound on Hammerly Boulevard as a black Ford F-150 pickup truck was traveling northbound.  The driver of the truck failed to yield the right of way while turning left and struck the Honda. 

Alex Mendiola was one of three juvenile backseat passengers not properly restrained in seat belts.  He was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Hospital.  Another boy, 6, and the female front seat passenger 28, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.  A girl, 4, and the female driver, 28, were not seriously injured.
 
The driver of the Ford (Reyes-Ventura) was not injured.  He consented to a blood draw and was questioned and released. 
 
Following the return of the blood results, Reyes-Ventura was found to be intoxicated at the time of the crash and subsequently charged in this incident.
Suspect Reyes-Ventura remains charged and wanted at this time.  Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the HPD Traffic Enforcement Division at 713-247-5900 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
 
At 2:30 p.m. TODAY (Monday, March 18), officers with the HPD DWI Task Force and HPD Vehicular Crimes Division will be available to answer media questions about this incident in the first floor Media Briefing Room of the HPD Edward A. Thomas Building at 1200 Travis.