Tyler man arrested on intoxicated manslaughter charge after fatal crash

Published 8:00 pm Wednesday, August 14, 2024

A Tyler man was arrested Wednesday after a fatal crash.

Maria Hernandez, 58, of Tyler, was killed Wednesday morning after authorities say an alleged drunk driver swerved into oncoming traffic.

Cesar Efrain Viramontes-Cocolan, 22, of Tyler, was arrested on a charge of intoxicated manslaughter in connection with the fatal crash involving three cars, a pickup truck, an SUV and a semi trailer.

Texas Department of Public Safety officers were dispatched to the scene at about 2:20 a.m. Aug. 13 on State Highway 31 near Farm-to-Market Road 2908 in Smith County, according to Sgt. Adam Albritton, DPS public information officer.

Viramontes-Cocolon was driving a pickup truck westbound when he veered into the eastbound lane and struck an SUV head-on, DPS said. A Brookshire’s 18-wheeler, also traveling east, attempted to avoid the SUV but was unable to do so.

Albritton reported that Viramontes-Cocolon was driving on the wrong side of the road at the time of the crash. Viramontes-Cocolon was injured and taken to the hospital.

During a hospital interview, Viramontes-Cocolon exhibited confused speech and claimed that the other driver was swerving “in and out of their lane.” He was unable to provide an explanation for why he veered into oncoming traffic, according to the affidavit.

Viramontes-Cocolon also reported to police that his steering wheel malfunctioned. The investigator observed that his eyes were glassy and bloodshot, but he denied consuming alcohol or drugs.

Despite his denial, a blood test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.044, according to an arrest affidavit. The investigator concluded that Viramontes-Cocolon was likely intoxicated from alcohol and possibly other substances.

Viramontes-Cocolon was arrested and initially refused to provide a blood sample, the affidavit states. A search warrant was obtained, and a sample was eventually taken, as detailed in the affidavit.

Records show Viramontes-Cocolon was booked into jail with a $250,000 bond.