Drunk driver told police he didn’t ‘feel good’ after I-35 crash that killed 5: warrant
A Fort Worth police affidavit reveals new details about the suspected drunk driver arrested in a crash last week that killed a family of five on Interstate 35W.
Eduardo Gonzalez, 19, is charged with five counts of intoxication manslaughter. Two adults — Willie Gunn and Amber Hopewell — and three of Hopewell’s children — ages 2, 4, and 9 — were killed after Gonzalez’s black Chevy Camaro rear-ended their sedan near the East Seminary Drive exit, causing it to catch fire, according to Fort Worth police.
The teen was traveling at a high rate of speed when he hit the victims’ vehicle, police said.
Gonzalez showed signs of intoxication and officers found alcohol containers inside of the Camaro at the scene, authorities said.
An arrest warrant affidavit reveals Gonzalez told police that he was not “feeling right,” so he pulled over on the freeway. The arrest warrant does not specify where he was coming from.
Gonzalez said he stopped on the side of the highway and turned on the car’s hazard lights. He told police that he did that because he did not want to crash, but investigators said the crash had already occurred, according to the arrest warrant.
Police and firefighters observed the five victims in the sedan. There were no survivors in the family’s car. The criminal complaint identifies the child victims as Elijah Caroll, Chrystale Cobbin and Amiyah Fisher.
An officer reported finding an open beer can in the center console of Gonzalez’s vehicle, with three more alcoholic drinks in the left passenger seat, and a box with the name of the alcohol.
Gonzalez was transported to the hospital via MedStar to be treated for injuries sustained in the collision, according to authorities.
At John Peter Smith Hospital, where Gonzalez again spoke with an officer, he said he was driving on the freeway and was pulled over by an officer, the warrant states.
When asked about the Camaro, Gonzalez said there was no damage to the car and became uncooperative with the officer, according to the warrant. He displayed red, watery eyes and slurred speech, and officers detected an alcohol-like odor coming from his breath.
Gonzalez agreed to be tested for alcohol intoxication and officers confirmed he lost normal use of his mental and physical faculties, the warrant says. Results of his blood test have not been released.
He was arrested that same day and was transported from the hospital to the Fort Worth City Jail.
The teen paid a portion of his $750,000 bond to secure his release on Aug. 23, Tarrant County records show.
The conditions of his bond require him to wear an ankle monitor that tests for alcohol, submit urine samples, and have a camera-equipped ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle he operates.
This story was originally published August 29, 2024 at 4:18 PM.
