Houston Man Facing Felony Murder Charge In Boat Crash: Prosecutor

HIGHLANDS, TX — A man who killed one and injured his girlfriend in a high-speed boat crash on the San Jacinto River Sunday night will be charged with felony murder and intoxication assault, officials said Tuesday.

Sean Teare, Vehicular Crimes Division chief at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, said Galan Ruiz had been drinking and was operating the boat at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash.

According to a KTRK report, Ruiz was highly intoxicated and had a blood alcohol level of .093.

Ruiz and his girlfriend, identified as Michelle Huff, were both critically injured when Ruiz crashed into a bulkhead on Sunday night in the 18900 block of Sandridge Court.

Both were airlifted to Houston area hospitals. A third passenger was thrown from the boat on impact, officials said.

Search crews with Texas Parks and Wildlife recovered his body Tuesday morning, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

Breaking: A deceased body has been located in the San Jacinto River. Believed to be the adult male that went overboard prior to the recent boat crash. Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences will determine identification. Captain Minter w @TPWDparks is at the scene #HouNews pic.twitter.com/vNmV7OTTk9
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 2, 2019

Investigators have not released the identity of the victim.

Ruiz has two previous convictions for alcohol-related incidents, according to a Houston Chronicle report.

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