HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Three families are mourning the loss of their loved ones after three Port Arthur men were hit and killed in Harris County after being struck by a suspected DWI driver.
The deadly crash happened early Friday morning. Deputies believe Jonathan Lazo Jr., 24, was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe eastbound in the 16800 block of the East Freeway in the number 3 lane, and a 2011 Infinity G37 was stopped on the outside shoulder.
The Infinity had its emergency lights on. Andre Garcia, 22, of Port Arthur, Jason De Los Santos, 21, of Port Arthur and Rashawn Richard, 21 were standing behind the car, according to a Harris County Sheriff's Office release.
Lazo allegedly failed to drive in a single lane and hit the three people behind the Infinity, according to the release. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
All three have now been identified to 12News by their families.
The families of Garcia and Santos set up GoFundMe's to help with funeral expenses.
Related: 'He left behind two babies': Port Arthur father killed in early Friday morning Harris County crash
Garcia was the father of a 3-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old daughter. Regina Henry, Garcia's mother, said he was a truck driver and had his whole life ahead of him.
Henry describes Garcia as a wonderful brother and as a perfect son and father.
Those who knew and loved Jason De Los Santos describe him as a "loving, caring and fun young man." His family said he brought great joy and happened to them.
The family said his favorite thing was to take videos and pictures to make everyone laugh.
After hitting them, deputies believe Lazo drove into a grassy median, hit several small trees and rolled the car onto its left side.
Lazo is charged with three counts of intoxication manslaughter in connection with the deaths of the three victims, according to the release. His bond for each intoxication manslaughter charge was set at $50,000 each.
His bonds total $150,000, according to jail records.
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From a Harris County Sheriff's Office release:
On March 31, 2023, at approximately 0027 hours, Jonathan Lazo Jr. was operating a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe eastbound in the 16800 block of the East Freeway in the number 3 lane. A 2011 Infinity G37 was stopped in the 16800 block of the East Freeway in the outside shoulder with their emergency flashers activated. Three unknown complainants were standing behind the stopped Infinity. Lazo Jr. failed to drive in a single marked lane leaving the roadway to the south into the outside shoulder. Lazo Jr. struck the three complainants stopped Infinity. Lazo Jr. continued to the east into the grassy median and struck several small trees and rolled onto his left side. The complainants showed no signs of life at the collision scene due to their injuries sustained in this collision. Lazo Jr. showed signs of intoxication or impairment and was charged with Intoxication Manslaughter. The case remains under investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division.
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