Driver Charged in Fatal Bastrop Crash Found Dead
A woman charged with intoxication manslaughter last week has been found dead. Authorities are investigating the incident as a suicide.
Details of the Bastrop Crash
According to the Austin American-Statesman, 28-year-old Suzanne Roberta Hodgson of Austin, Texas was booked into the Bastrop County Jail after being treated for injuries following a fatal accident on Texas 71 near FM 1209.
Police allege Hodgson was drunk last Tuesday night when she crashed into a pickup that was stopped at a red light on Texas 71 – both vehicles caught fire following the collision. Two tractor-trailers were also involved in the crash.
The driver of the stopped pickup, Lorenzo Ruiz, died at the scene of the accident. Hodgson and the other two drivers were transported to University Medical Center Brackenridge – none of their injuries were life-threatening.
Hodgson was released on July 30 after posting bail of $50,000. She was found dead in her North Austin apartment Monday, around 5:12 pm.
The Austin American-Statesman identified Hodgson as an employee of The Smithville Times, a publication owned by the Austin American-Statesman. She had been employed with The Smithville Times since June 23.
Texas Auto Accident Statistics
The following information was provided by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):
- 3,377 people lost their lives in traffic collisions on Texas roadways in 2013. This marked a 1.05 percent decrease from the 3,413 deaths recorded in 2012.
- 55.76 percent of traffic fatalities occurred in rural areas, and 767 fatalities were attributed to collisions at or relating to an intersection.
- Alcohol was considered a contributing factor in 1,089 traffic fatalities – 32.2 percent of all traffic fatalities recorded for the year.
- Another 232,041 people were injured in auto accidents with 89,270 people suffering a serious injury.
