Eva's Place Patron Jailed for Drunk Driving and Crashes after Shooting

A 48-year-old San Angelo man was arrested on Sunday after a short vehicle pursuit in northeast San Angelo.

On Feb. 1, just before 9:20 p.m., San Angelo dispatch received a call from a witness who said they were following a reckless driver who had just struck a bridge and continued traveling. 

The witness relayed the vehicle’s description and direction of travel to dispatch, which enabled police to locate the vehicle near Buchanan and Harris Avenue. 

Police attempted to stop the white GMC pickup truck by activating lights and sirens, but the driver, later identified as Manuel Moya Rocha, failed to stop and a short vehicle pursuit ensued.    

Rocha attempted to elude police through neighboring streets before stopping his vehicle in the 500 block of Kennedy Drive.  He was taken into custody without incident.  Officers at the scene detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from Rocha and located open containers of alcohol inside his vehicle.

Subsequent to the investigation, police learned that prior to the collisions, Rocha had been a patron at Eva’s Place, a local drinking establishment and scene of a shooting incident, before driving away and striking an unoccupied, parked vehicle near 6^th and Main Streets, as well as a fixed structure.  At this time, police are not aware of any other collisions involved in the episode and no injuries have been reported.  Investigators have determined Rocha was not involved in the shooting, other than being a patron at the time the shooting occurred.  

Investigators working the case obtained a search warrant for Rocha’s blood.  The results are pending. 

Rocha was charged with driving while intoxicated 3^rd or more, attempting to elude while intoxicated, three outstanding city warrants, parole violation warrant, and grand jury indictment for driving while intoxicated 3^rd or more.