HOUSTON – A Houston man charged with causing four drunken driving crashes, two of them fatal, is linked to other drunken driving allegations in Louisiana, prosecutors in Houston said during a court hearing Wednesday.
Blaine Boudreaux, 34, faced a judge in criminal court on a list of charges, including intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault and failure to stop and render aid resulting in death.
During the court hearing, prosecutors revealed that Boudreaux has two outstanding driving while intoxicated warrants from Louisiana, including one from New Orleans he dropped, officials said.
Because of that, a judge deemed Boudreaux a "flight risk" in regard to the new charges he faces in Harris County, each stemming from four accidents Boudreaux is accused of causing Sunday, driving while drunk. His bond was increased to $300,000.
Prosecutor Alison Baimbridge said, "We received some information from New Orleans that the defendant had some prior DUIs that appear to still be open. (This) led us to believe that he is a flight risk in our county because those cases he was on bond for and never finished the case."
Two of those crashes were fatal, including the death of a 6-year-old boy.
The first crash happened in the Medical Center area Sunday. Houston Police ticketed Boudreaux for speed and let him go, driving a Dodge pickup truck, prosecutors said.
The second crash happened shortly after that, near the University of Houston. Police alleged Boudreaux slammed into Leonard Baptiste, 61, a homeless man, leaving him to die. Batiste's body was found lying in a ditch the following day.
At about 5:30 p.m., investigators said officers found two people exchanging information after a crash and left the scene. The Harris County District Attorney's Office said Boudreaux gave out a fake cell number but the victim snapped a picture of Boudreaux's license plate.
Three hours after the first crash, prosecutors allege Boudreaux crashed into a Honda Civic, killing Joshua Medrano and critically injuring his mother, Cynthia.
"He should have never been let go and I'm very angry with what has happened," said Katy Villarreal, Medrano's mother-in-law. "He took our baby. I'm trying to be strong for my family. I know Joshua is not blood but we've known him since he was a year old. I loved that child."
Medrano's family sat in court during Boudreaux's appearance Wednesday, weeping uncontrollably as they faced the man accused of killing the young boy.
As the case against Boudreaux in Harris County moves forward, there are questions about why police allowed him to leave. Prosecutors said there was evidence that Boudreaux was drunk when police eventually arrested him after the fourth crash. Further toxicology results could result in more charges, officials said.
At the time of his arrest, Boudreaux allegedly told police that he was taking prescription medication to curb opiate use, including suboxone.
During the hearing, one family member cursed at Boudreaux, while others sobbed.