Bond set for man charged in crash that killed teen, parents

Suspect's family apologizes in court

HOUSTON – Bond has been set for the man accused in a crash that killed three members of a family over the weekend.
With a bandaged head, 25-year-old Jeremy Valdez appeared in court Monday morning.

He was accused of hitting and killing 18-year-old Mauricio Ramirez and his parents, Hilda Nolasco and Emilio Avila, who died on FM 2920 and Kuykendahl Saturday morning as friends said the family drove home from church.

Deputies said Valdez was drunk at the time of the crash. He is charged with three counts of murder.

During a court appearance Monday morning, bond for Valdez was set at $100,000 per victim for a total of $300,000.

According to Valdez's criminal record, this was his fourth DWI charge.

Prosecutors said he was allowed back on the road after apparently serving his sentence for his third DWI.

"When you are done with a sentence you get out," said prosecutor Alison Baimbridge. "He probably did all if not most all of the two-year sentence. So once you finish with a sentence, you become a regular person."
The bond set for Valdez came with several conditions.

After Valdez appeared in court, his relatives apologized to the victims’ family. They said this was not his character. They said they wanted to pray with and to contact the family of those who died. "My heart goes out to that family,” said Valdez’s aunt, Angela Betsill. She told KPRC 2, “It was not his intention to harm anyone.

Alcohol, if it was present, if it was a factor, then that's a factor. You have to acknowledge that. He has had some issues with alcohol in the past."

“It's criminal,” said Nolasco’s sister. She, family and friends gathered to remember those who died. Carolina Moreno said, "I'm so broke my heart."

Witnesses said Valdez tried to run from the crash site, but they kept him from getting away. Earlier, in a jailhouse interview, he said he did not drink and drive and said he thought he had a green light before the crash.

Valdez is charged with felony murder. He could face up to life in prison if he is convicted. Court documents show he has three previous DWI convictions.

Prosecutor Alison Baimbridge said, "I think everybody has that question. When you're done with a sentence, you get out. He probably did all, if not all, of a two-year sentence. So when he finished with the sentence, he becomes pretty much a regular person."