EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — One man is dead, and another is facing a charge of intoxication manslaughter after a fatal weekend crash in Northeast El Paso, El Paso Police said.
Police have arrested 29-year-old Kevin Anthony Meacham of Chaparral, New Mexico, and he has been charged with intoxication manslaughter under a $155,000 bond.
Police say Meacham is responsible for the death of 51-year-old Ruben Acosta in a crash that happened late Friday night, Oct. 25, at Gateway North and Sun Valley at about 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.
The arrest affidavit alleges Meacham was driving a Nissan Titan at a very high rate of speed before the crash. He allegedly passed an officer on US-54 just before taking the Sun Valley exit onto Gateway North at speeds clocked by the officer’s dash camera over 100 MPH. The officer allegedly turned on their lights and sirens but called off the traffic stop due to unsafe conditions and the distance Meacham had gained from the officer.
Meacham continued traveling north on Gateway North until he reached Sun Valley. Police said he appeared to try to make a right turn onto Sun Valley but, because of his speed, was unable to do so.
Police said Meacham t-boned the Chevrolet Cruze driven by Acosta, who was likely stationary at the intersection. The force of the crash caused both vehicles to be pushed into the DK gas station parking lot.
Acosta was injured seriously and taken to the hospital, where he later died, police said.
According to the arrest affidavit obtained by KTSM, Meaham told police he’d had nothing to drink but later said, “I’m an alcoholic.” He then allegedly told officers that he was drinking the night prior and he had drunk “a lot, heavily,” despite reiterating he had nothing to drink.
Meacham was asked to provide a blood specimen, which he refused and later agreed to. While signing the paperwork for his bloodwork, he allegedly told police he was “not perfect,” and he said, “I don’t want to be in prison.”
During an interview at the hospital, Meachum told officers he’d gotten off work around 7 p.m. and visited his parents near the Chico’s Tacos off Dyer. He said he’d gone to his girlfriend’s house off McCombs after that, and he’d “lost consciousness,” and his brain just “shut down” at the time of the crash, so he only remembered hitting a pole.
Police say that speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the crash. This is the 55th traffic fatality in El Paso compared to 62 at this time last year.
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