Details released about deadly east El Paso Christmas Eve crash
EL PASO, Texas - The arrest affidavit for a man who is believed to have killed three people in a Christmas Eve car accident states he had at least five beers and two shots and refused to give a blood sample.
As previously reported, Joel Garcia, 24, drove a 2010 silver Camaro just before 2 a.m. on the 1500 block of Joe Battle Boulevard.
Police said Garcia was speeding and drunk when he ran a red light and crashed into a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am.
Joshua Deal, the driver of the Grand Am and Shannon DelRio, a passenger, remained in the Grand Am as it was "engulfed in flames." They died at the scene, according to the affidavit.
Isaiah Deal, the rear passenger, was ejected from the vehicle was hospitalized. He died from his injuries, the affidavit stated.
According to witnesses who were waiting in their vehicle at the red light, they saw Garcia's vehicle speed through the intersection and crash.
Both vehicles caught fire and the witnesses said they saw Garcia's passenger, Enrique Gaucin, get out of the Camaro and drag Garcia out of the vehicle.
According to the affidavit, the witnesses saw Garcia was unconscious, and when he came to, a witness yelled at him for what happened.
Garcia reportedly was asking about his car and wanted to leave the scene, the affidavit stated.
Arriving officers noticed Garcia was intoxicated, and Garcia told officers he was the driver and drank before the crash. He refused to give a blood sample, the affidavit stated.
An officer was working to get a warrant for a blood sample from Garcia, who was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, when he was informed that Garcia would receive medication that may alter his blood chemistry, the affidavit stated.
A blood sample was then ordered before Garcia was given the medication, the affidavit stated.
Garcia refused treatment at the hospital, and was released. He initially refused to give a statement to police, but later admitted to drinking at least five beers and two shots, but stated he did not remember being the driver, according to the affidavit.
Garcia was charged with three counts of intoxicated manslaughter. His bonds totaled $300,000.
