EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 36-year-old man from Odessa, Texas, was recently arrested and charged with his second DWI after causing a hit-and-run crash near Socorro this past Sunday, Aug. 20, according to El Paso Police.
At around 1:30 a.m. that Sunday, a police officer was driving on the 11800 block of Gateway West when he saw a crash that involved a rolled-over vehicle, according to police.
The officer observed a 2019 white Nissan Titan had rolled over, caught on fire and the driver was still trapped inside.
Police say Javier Melendez Jr., 36, fled the scene of the crash in a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and was found soon after near the site of the incident.
Witnesses near the area attempted to help the driver out of the vehicle. Witnesses also provided information on the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, according to police.
The officer then relayed a description of the pickup truck, and nearby officers located the truck and Melendez Jr. at the 11700 block of Miriam, according to police.
During the investigation, officers determined that Melendez showed signs of intoxication, possessed the keys for the vehicle, and had “defecated himself,” according to police.
Melendez was charged with driving while intoxicated 2nd and was later booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $25,000 bond.
