Humble man charged in fatal teen Highway 59 accident
HUMBLE, TX (KTRK) -- Grief counselors were on hand at New Caney High School Monday, after a sophomore was killed over the weekend.
Sunday, Jose Damian, 17, was hit while changing a flat tire along the freeway. He died on scene. Police say the driver who slammed into him was drunk.
Charles Baxter Jr., 32, from Humble, has been charged with intoxicated manslaughter and possession of a controlled substance.
Students and parents have had a tough time processing the news.
"I'm pretty sure it will be a mournful day," said Dorien Valedaz, a junior at New Caney High School.
"It's shocking, it's shocking, it's very sad," said Jeff Daneman, a parent dropping his son off.
"You feel shocked, feel sadness, you feel anger, grief, disbelief, and it's all coming at you at one time and that's coming from and adults so I can't imagine what these kids are going to right now," said Justin Upreach, a teacher at NCHS, who taught Damian last year as a freshman.
"He was a very respectful kid," Upreach said.
Upreach worried how kids would react their first day back after learning the news.
"A lot of times these kids don't know how to process their emotions oh it's up to us as adults and educators to help them work through these things," he said.
Many students showed up wearing red, which was Damian's favorite color. Word spread on social media as a way to honor the 17-year-old.
"You know we have a playoff game coming up this week. Everyone was excited about that. But I think today everybody needs to be focused on trying to support his family as best we can," said Chris Daniel, a senior at NCHS.
The New Caney superintendent says Grief counselors will be available through the rest of the week.
