Euless police detective killed in Lake Worth crash; suspected drunk driver arrested
A 26-year-old Lake Worth man was arrested following a crash which resulted in the death of an off-duty Euless police officer on Saturday afternoon in Lake Worth.
The suspected drunk driver ran a red light and hit the officer’s car, killing him and injuring his family, police said. Lake Worth police and other law enforcement agencies responded to the scene at the intersection of Boat Club Road and Rocky Point Trail around 1:30 p.m.
The suspect, identified by police as Dylan Molina, attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by neighbors and bystanders, according to a police statement. When officers took the man into custody, authorities said, they detected a strong odor of alcohol on Molina’s breath.
The off-duty officer has been identified as Euless Police Department Detective Alejandro “Alex” Cervantes.
Lake Worth Police Chief J.T Manoushagian said members of Cervantes’ family, who were also in the vehicle during the crash, were taken to local hospitals with serious injuries. Fire officials had to use specialized rescue equipment to free the family from their Chevrolet Impala, according to the statement.
A MedStar representative said that a woman, who police said is Cervantes’ wife, was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in critical condition, and two children were taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center.
Molina, who was driving a Jeep Wrangler, faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and three counts of aggravated assault. Police said charges may be enhanced as the investigation progresses.
“We will investigate this crime to the fullest extent of the law and hold all those who contributed to Detective Cervantes’ death accountable for their actions, or lack thereof,” Manoushagian said in a statement on Saturday night.
Euless police said the Lake Worth Police Department will be leading the investigation with the assistance of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
“Alex had served honorably with our police department for almost seven years and was a member of our police department Honor Guard Team. He had also previously served eight years with the El Paso Police Department,” the Euless Police Department said in a statement. “Please keep Alex’s family, friends, colleagues and the Euless community in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.”
This story was originally published November 27, 2021 at 4:11 PM.
