Inset: Alexander D. Mendoza being arrested by a Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputy (BCSO). Background: The intersection where Mendoza allegedly ran a red light, hitting a pregnant driver (Google Maps).
A tragic incident unfolded in Texas involving a 30-year-old man, accused of causing the death of an unborn child. The man allegedly ran a red light while under the influence, crashing into a car driven by a pregnant woman, which led to her premature labor.
Alexander Diaz Mendoza has been arrested and faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as documented in court records.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office reported that the accident occurred on the night of Thursday, February 19, at the intersection of Woodlake Parkway and Binz-Engleman Road in San Antonio.
Sheriff Javier Salazar explained in a Facebook video that Mendoza allegedly ignored a red light, colliding with the victim’s vehicle. The pregnant woman, behind the wheel, went into labor as a result of the crash injuries and tragically lost her baby.
Authorities secured a warrant for Mendoza’s arrest on Tuesday. Sheriff Salazar mentioned that the suspect is employed as a civilian at a nearby military base.
Investigators are awaiting results from “the Intoxilyzer,” a device that analyzes breath alcohol content using infrared light absorption. Should the findings indicate Mendoza exceeded the legal alcohol limit during the incident, he may face an additional charge of intoxication manslaughter related to the unborn child’s death.
A probable cause affidavit obtained by San Antonio-based CBS affiliate KENS provided some additional details about the fatal collision.
The document alleges that around 9:30 p.m., Mendoza was driving 75 mph in a 40 mph zone when he ran the red light and caused a crash involving four cars, one of which was driven by the pregnant woman. As a result of the collision, the pregnant driver’s car flipped and landed in a ditch.
Medics rushed the victim to a nearby hospital where she underwent emergency surgery but lost the child.
At the scene, authorities said Mendoza allegedly had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol, and was slurring his words. An open beer bottle with some alcohol still inside was also found on the floor of the front passenger seat, according to the affidavit.
Authorities are holding Mendoza in the Bexar County Detention Center. A judge set his bond at $125,000. He is scheduled to appear in court again before Judge Miguel Najera on May 5, records show.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
