Wrecker driver dies after collision in NE Houston

HOUSTON Family, friends and co-workers are remembering the long-time tow truck driver who was killed in the overnight crash. Police believe the driver was speeding when he collided with a suspected drunk driver on Jensen.

The wrecker industry is close knit and drivers from all over have been stopping by Friday to pay their condolences. While Houston police have not identified the victim, those who know the victim and worked with him have identified him as Rogelio Flores. They say Flores was a hard worker, dedicated to his job and his family.

The accident happened Friday around 1am. Authorities allege Flores was speeding in his tow truck on the way to a police scene when Flores' truck collided with a car driven by Rogelio Villalobos.

The collision knocked Flores' truck out of his lane northbound on Jensen and into a light pole. The impact flipped Flores' truck and then struck a metal sign post. Flores died on impact.

Authorities allege the driver of the car, Villalobos, 25, was intoxicated.

Flores worked overnight as a wrecker driver for more than 20 years for Zone 3 Collision, where drivers gathered today to mourn flores death.

"He was one of our partners out here that we worked with, that we see every day, every night. Now we gotta go without seeing him and the only thing we're gonna have are just memories of him," said wrecker driver Juan Martinez.

The owner of the wrecker company says Flores was a hard-working family man.

"He's a good driver. He's always been careful. I just don't see this as his fault. It's got to be something else," said Hamid Yousef, owner of Zone 3 Collision.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Villalobos remains in police custody. His blood has been taken for testing and charges are pending. He served 60 days for drug possession two years ago.

Flores leaves behind a wife and a teenage son.

The case is still under investigation.