Man Charged In Fatal South Loop West Crash

HOUSTON, TX — A man accused of being intoxicated when he struck and killed a man on South Loop West has been charged with murder, police said.

The man, identified as John Richard Vasquez, 60, has three prior driving while intoxication convictions, according to Houston Police.

The victim in the crash, a 55-year-old man, was changing a tire in the split area between the South Loop West and the entrance ramp to State Highway 288 Tuesday evening. Vasquez, who was possibly going eastbound, when he failed to maintain a single lane and struck the victim's car, police said. The victim was also struck.

Both men were taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where the victim was pronounced dead.

At the hospital, investigators said they determined Vasquez was intoxicated.