Intoxicated driver crashes in Mesquite, killing 4 and injuring 3, police say
MESQUITE – Four people were killed and three injured in a crash early New Year's Day, shutting down a portion of I-20 for hours.
The accident occurred at about 1:45 a.m. Wednesday in the eastbound lanes of I-20 at FM 740.
The victims were on the outside shoulder lane of the highway attempting to change a flat tire when an intoxicated driver hit them at a high rate of speed, police said.
Killed in the crash were Arturo Martinez Gonzalez, 47; Anthony Hernandez, 19; Mario Guajardo De La Paz, 19; and a 15-year-old male, all from Terrell, according to the Mesquite Police Department.
Basilio Mares Ortiz, 35, also from Terrell, has been arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter, police said.
The eastbound lanes of I-20 were shut down until around 10 a.m. while the investigation continued.
Mesquite police said the investigation is ongoing.