Jul 5, 2008 4:47 pm US/Central
Wylie Man Dies In DWI-Related Crash
Witnesses: Driver's Erratic Behavior Sent Salesman Into Big Rig
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
A Wylie man was killed as he was driving home from work Friday night.
Eduardo Ochoa Loera was eastbound on LBJ Freeway when another vehicle clipped his and forced the driver into the path of an oncoming 18-wheeler.
Witnesses told police the alleged drunk driver could have been traveling as fast as 100 mph and was weaving in and out of the lanes.
"He was driving recklessly and at some point he did impact our victim's vehicle forcing him to lodge up under an 18-wheeler," Lt. Vernon Hale said of the accident.
Witnesses said Robert Taylor tried to get away, but he was on scene when the first police arrived, Hale said.
Family and loved ones describe Loera as a light-hearted prankster and joker. A one-time teacher in Midland, they said the 37-year-old enjoyed his sales job at Rooms To Go and he loved to travel.
His death came as police stepped up DWI enforcement for the holiday.
"I don't think we can stop them all, but we can certainly deter and reduce them," Hale said of the crackdown.
According to reports, Dallas police made 14 arrests Thursday; 15 on Friday; and performed five blood draws in "no refusal" enforcement.
Taylor was arrested for intoxication manslaughter and failure to aid at an injury accident. His bond was set at $50,000.
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