Driver In Fatal DWI Crash Was Nearly Three Times Over Legal Limit

HOUSTON — A man accused in a drunk driving crash that killed a Lyft passenger and put the Lyft driver in a coma had a blood alcohol level that was three times over the legal limit, prosecutors said. Erik DeLeon, 21, who is charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault, had a blood alcohol level of .210 at the time of the crash on March 1.

According to police, DeLeon was traveling on Galveston Road when he clipped the back of another vehicle, and drove through a red light at Pineloch Drive where he T-boned a car driven by Ezatullah Safi, an Afghan refugee. Safi, who has two children and another on the way, is still in a coma.

Friends of Safi have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money to help pay for hospital expenses.

READ ALSO: Ridseshare Passenger Killed In DWI Crash With Pickup

The crash killed passenger Billy Satterfield, who was coming home from the airport and was only five minutes from his home when he was killed, officials said.

DeLeon allegedly admitted to drinking tequila shots before the crash. Officials found bar receipts in his vehicle after the crash.

DeLeon, who was injured in the crash, is still in the hospital, officials said.

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