HUMBLE, Texas – A man from Humble has been arrested and charged in connection to the death of a teenager, who was killed in a car crash Sunday morning.
Charles Baxter Jr., 32, is charged with intoxication manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance.
According to Humble police, Baxter was driving drunk when he slammed into the victim on the Eastex Freeway at FM 1960. Police reported they also found a number of Xanax pills in Baxter's possession that were not prescribed to him.
The victim's family identified him as Jose Damian, 17, a sophomore at New Caney High School, who celebrated his 17th birthday two days prior to the crash.
Jose Damian's brother, Javier Damian, said he and other members of the family were headed to a truck show when their vehicle got a flat tire, so they pulled over onto the shoulder.
When they were done fixing the flat, Jose Damian went to put the jack back in the car right before a car slammed into him.
"When that happened, I screamed. I screamed and I wasn't done screaming when the car hit him. It was just so quick," Javier Damian said.
Javier Damian said he looked for his brother and saw him lying next to the car dead.
"When I checked the back, I checked the right side and he was there. He was there on the ground," he said.
Javier Damian said the driver of the car that hit them was taken to the hospital.
Baxter was taken to Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital with minor injuries to his neck, according to police. He was treated and later released to police. He was then booked into the Harris County Jail.
New Caney ISD released a statement Sunday night that read, "It is with great sadness that New Caney ISD learned of the passing of Jose Maria Damian Rodriguez Sunday morning. Jose was a sophomore at New Caney High School. Grief counselors will be on campus this week to provide counseling and support for students and staff as needed.
"'We hold our students and families in the highest regard, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jose's family and friends," Superintendent Kenn Franklin said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this most difficult time.'"
Click here to donate to a GoFundMe account created to help Jose Damian's family.
Baxter appeared in court Monday and is being held on $32,000 bond.