Why Not to Drink and Drive- A Houston man is currently hospitalized with what is described as non-life-threatening injuries – and is also facing a prison sentence of up to 80 years – after being viewed on Facebook Live drinking and driving prior to a fatal crash that claimed the lives of three individuals.
47-year-old Camilo Morejon is currently facing three charges of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault, all of which were filed by the Harris County District Attorney.
According to the filing, Morejon was viewed in the Facebook Live video driving while also drinking prior to crashing his silver Honda into a black pickup truck, an incident that was also caught on security camera footage approximately six minute after the initial Facebook Live video. The Facebook Live video itself shows a beer bottle being passed around by individuals inside the car, with Morejon stating in his native Spanish that he drives better whenever he drinks.
According to local news reports, all three of the passengers in Morejon’s vehicle died at the scene of the crash, with one of them being positively identified as Morejon’s girlfriend, 35-year-old Leosveyks Gonzalez. Furthermore, it is also reported by multiple sources that his girlfriend has been identified as the individual who filmed the Facebook Live video.
The other two individuals who died have been positively identified as 40-year-old Ricardo Rodriguez Tamayo and 32-year-old Massel Rodriguez Tamayo.
According to the sheriff’s office, they believe that Morejon was intoxicated at the time that the crash occurred. Furthermore, they also state that “open alcoholic beverage containers” were found inside his vehicle following the incident.
The driver of the pickup truck, 45-year-old Pedro Hernandez-Martinez, was ejected from the vehicle once the crash occurred due to not wearing a seatbelt. In the event that Hernandez-Martinez succumbs to his injuries, Morejon’s intoxication assault charge will more than likely be upgraded.
Harris County prosecutor Sean Teare had the following to say in regards to the case:
“It’s very rare that we see the actions of a defendant that close in time to a horrific crash like this. But, it’s what happens, it’s what goes on in those cars moments before lives are lost. We’ve had four crashes in 24 hours that will contribute to seven deaths possibly, all of which are going to be charged.”
In addition, investigators are also in the process of checking out multiple after-hours bars nearby that may have possibly served Morejon with alcohol, as well as whether or not any of them may have played a role in the incident. Teare had the following to say in regards to this specific situation:
“We believe there are probably three or four bars that are around the area we believe they were and we are in the process today of going to those locations determining which ones were contributing factors to this crash.”
Currently, Morejon is being represented by local public defenders, and they have yet to be immediately reached for any form of comment in regards to the case.
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