Confusing Charges: Accident Involving Death or Accident Causing Serious Bodily Injury

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The Tom Green County Sheriff’s inmate roster shows 28-year-old Cody Salazar was arrested and charged with causing an accident involving death.  The San Angelo Police Department’s arrest affidavit says he was charged with causing an accident involving serious bodily injury.

The underlying Texas statute, 550.021 of the Transportation code, states the second degree felony charge is “an accident causing personal injury or death.”

The Friday night crash injured three passengers.  Salazar was driving and fled the scene. He was arrested and jailed Monday.  

According to information from the San Angelo Police Department, Daniella Bejil and Alfred “Jimmy” Bejil were ejected from the vehicle and required immediate medical attention.  Yolanda Valencia was still in the damaged pickup. She was unconscious and suffered several facial and other unknown injuries.

All three victims were transported to Shannon Medical Center for emergency medical treatment.  As of Tuesday morning, all three are reportedly in stable condition.