A night that ended in tragedy on a North Harris County road has left one man dead and a woman facing serious criminal charges after a high-speed, alcohol-involved crash ejected a passenger from the vehicle, killing him instantly.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Yury Ramirez-Chavez was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter following the deadly crash late Wednesday evening in the 600 block of Century Plaza Drive.
According to authorities, Ramirez-Chavez was behind the wheel of a GMC when she began driving at dangerously high speeds. Witnesses and officials noted the vehicle weaving in and out of lanes before it struck a concrete curb, sending the car into a violent spin.
The force of the crash ejected the front passenger — identified as Miguel Turrubiartes, Ramirez-Chavez’s common-law husband — from the vehicle. Turrubiartes was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Despite emergency responders arriving at the scene, Turrubiartes was pronounced dead at the location. He did not survive the ejection.
Ramirez-Chavez, who remained at the scene, was observed showing visible signs of intoxication by responding deputies. She was placed under arrest without incident.
Intoxication manslaughter in Texas is a second-degree felony, carrying a potential sentence of two to twenty years in state prison, along with significant fines.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division has taken over the investigation and is continuing to gather evidence surrounding the circumstances of the crash.
Authorities are urging all drivers to never operate a vehicle under the influence and are reminding passengers that wearing a seatbelt can be the difference between life and death.
This is a developing story. Additional details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
