Man, 32, accused of driving drunk to Cypress-area Sonic with child in tow

CYPRESS, TX (KTRK) -- A 32-year-old man was arrested at a Cypress-area Sonic after he allegedly drove to the fast food restaurant drunk with a child in the car.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said Justin Pitman is charged with DWI with a child under 15. According to the sheriff's office, Pitman stopped by the Sonic at Barker Cypress near West Rd. around 4pm on Wednesday, but before he could pay and leave, an employee noticed something not quite right and called police.

Pitman was questioned on the scene and taken into custody.

"Sonic, I commend them for that," said Romario Ventura who works nearby. "(He was) putting us, putting a lot of people's lives in danger -- and himself too. There's a lot of 18-wheelers passing by all the time."

No one answered the door at Pitman's home. His neighbors are just learning about the accusations against him.

"I've lost a friend to a drunk driver," said Stephanie Mueller. "Especially with kids in the car, that's just -- as a mother-- you just don't do that."

Sonic's Corporate Office sent us a statement, reading in part:

"Thank you for giving us the opportunity to respond to your question about the incident at the Houston Sonic Drive-In on Barker- Cypress Road.

At SONIC, our crew members work hard to ensure the safest environment for our customers and we are proud of the employee who acted quickly to resolve the situation on lot. We thank the community for supporting their local drive-in and the tremendous crew members that embody the SONIC spirit.

Any additional questions about the incident should be directed to the police as it is Sonic's policy and practice not to comment on matters that are the subject of ongoing criminal proceedings or investigations to avoid possibly interfering."