SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police say a driver is facing a charge of intoxication manslaughter related to a crash early Wednesday that killed his passenger.
Matthew Martinez, 27, was taken into police custody, following a sobriety test at the scene.
They say he crashed into a utility pole on W. Commerce near NW 36th Street, shortly after midnight.
According to a preliminary police report, the Hyundai Elantra was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway and then struck the pole. The car wrapped around the pole, trapping the passenger inside, police said.
SAPD said Martinez fled as soon as officers arrived. Officers however were able to find and arrest him.
Firefighters had to cut the car open to reach his 26-year-old passenger, Joe Angel Palacios.
He was taken to an area hospital, where he later died.
CPS Energy crews spent the next few hours replacing the damaged pole.
It did not appear that the crash caused any power outages in the area.