Deputies: Intoxicated driver hits off-duty officer, kills passenger, hides from deputies

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A man hid from deputies after driving drunk and causing a head-on collision that killed his passenger, Harris County deputies said.

According to deputies, Ronald Cedillos Garcia was driving a white SUV with a woman in his passenger seat while traveling south on Kuykendahl Road near FM 1960.

Garcia swerved into the northbound traveling lane and hit an off-duty police officer head-on who was driving a black Chevrolet pickup, deputies said.

The passenger of Garcia’s car died upon impact, and the off-duty officer was taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to officials.

When the paramedics pulled up, they told deputies they had seen a man running from the crash and into the woods.

Deputies brought out their K-9 search unit to find Garcia hiding underneath a porch, according to authorities.

Authorities determined that Garcia was intoxicated after testing him on the scene, deputies said.

The District Attorney came out to the scene of the crash and immediately accepted intoxication manslaughter charges for Garcia.

Garcia was also charged with failing to stop and render aid, according to deputies.

Garcia's first court appearance was today Oct. 22.