A Killeen man is awaiting trial on charges of intoxicated manslaughter following a fatal DWI accident that left one woman dead.
According to the Killeen Daily Herald, the accident occurred in Bell County in early June.
A Nolanville, Texas police officer witnessed a two people on a motorcycle traveling east on Veterans Memorial Boulevard, says the arrest affidavit. Also, a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) agent saw a man and woman leave “Paul’s Pub” on a motorcycle.
The officer eventually was called to U.S. Highway 190 following reports that a motorcycle was traveling the wrong direction. The motorcycle collided with a another vehicle near Main Street.
The driver of the motorcycle was identified as 33-year-old Juan Ortiz. His passenger, 24-year-old Ashley Pekarek, who was found laying underneath the bridge.
Both Ortiz and Pekarek were taken to Scott & White Hospital in Temple. Pekarek sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on June 7th.
The TABC agent identified Pekarek and Ortiz as the people he saw leaving the pub. A witness at the pub stated they saw Ortiz consume two or three beers.
Ortiz’s blood alcohol level was tested at the hospital and was a .218; well over Texas’ legal limit of .08.
A Bell County grand jury did indict Ortiz on a charge of intoxicated manslaughter on Wednesday, October 22. His bail has been set at $100,000.