Police: Alcohol Suspected Contributing Factor in Bryant at Houston Harte Crash

The driver of a black 2006 Nissan Altima may face charges for intoxication assault with a motor vehicle, San Angelo Police Traffic Investigator Korby Kennedy said. Open alcoholic beverage containers were discovered in a crumpled black Nissan Altima driven by a 31-year-old Hispanic male with a 27-year-old Hispanic male passenger. Both are at Shannon in unknown condition, Kennedy said.

“We are awaiting blood test results,” Kennedy said.

The Nissan Altima was northbound on N. Bryant Blvd. at about 7:40 when, Kennedy said, he disregarded the red light and collided with a 2012 Buick Enclave driven by a 74-year-old white woman who had a 52-year-old white female passenger. The Buick was turning left (east) onto 6th Street, the access road to the Houston Harte Expressway. Kennedy did not know if the two in the Buick were related. Both women are in unknown condition and left the crash scene in separate ambulances with incapacitating injuries.

The driver of the black Altima may have been racing or taunting another vehicle. “That vehicle (the alleged racing partner) didn’t remain on the scene, and we’re not releasing any information on that ‘attempt to locate’,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy said that police intend to file charges on the driver of the black Altima for intoxicated assault at the most, or disregarding a red light at the least.

There were eyewitness reports about the Altima driving erratically several blocks south of the accident location prior. One witness followed the Altima to the crash (the witness was travelling the same way). Kennedy said at least three witnesses were interviewed in the process of the initial investigation.

Kennedy said that all four injured in the crash were alive as of 11 p.m., the last time he heard.

As of 11:30 p.m., the crash scene was almost cleared and the lanes were expected to open shortly.