FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indictments Returned Against
18 Year Old in DWI Related Deaths

San Antonio, Texas: July 21, 2010

Today District Attorney Susan D. Reed obtained indictments from a Bexar County Grand Jury against a man accused of killing three people and seriously injuring another as a result of allegedly driving while intoxicated.

Paulino Cruz, age 18, was indicted for three cases of Intoxication Manslaughter and one case of Intoxication Assault. It is alleged that on April 25, 2010, at approximately 3:02 a.m., Cruz was driving a motor vehicle in the 700 block of South East Military at a high rate of speed when he drove over the median into on-coming traffic. Cruz’s vehicle crashed head-on into a vehicle containing the four victims. Two of the victims died at the scene, a third victim died that same day, and a fourth victim suffered serious injuries. The victims range in age from 20 to 23 years old.

Intoxication Manslaughter is a second degree felony and carries a range of punishment of 2 to 20 years confinement in the penitentiary with a fine not to exceed $10,000. Intoxication Assault is a third degree felony and carries a range of punishment of 2 to 10 years confinement in the penitentiary with a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Cruz’s cases are pending in the 379th District Court before the Honorable Ron Rangel. A trial date has not yet been set. Cruz is currently jailed on bonds totaling $250,000.

For more information, contact Cliff Herberg, First Assistant District Attorney, at 335-2342.