Charges pending against driver in wreck that killed 3

WEBSTER, TX Webster police say shortly before 3am, they were dispatched to a single vehicle accident south bound in the 21600 block of I-45. Upon arrival they found a GMC pickup truck in a wooded area just west of the southbound feeder road. Two female and one male occupant were deceased.

Authorities say the occupants had just left a nightclub at West Fuqua and I-45 and were southbound on the main lanes when the driver lost control. The vehicle struck the center concrete divider adjacent to the inner lane, crossed over the other main lanes, grassy median and the two frontage lanes. The vehicle rolled over and into the tree line at which point it caught fire.

The driver of the vehicle kicked out the window and fled the scene on foot, police say. They also say they believe the driver ran from the accident because he did not have a license and they believe he may have been drinking.

The driver evaded arrest for over six hours until he was apprehended near Bay Area Blvd and I-45 after a tip call. Law enforcement officials say because such a long time had passed, they cannot charge him with DUI.

Two males who had pulled into the driveway of a local business to change a flat tire heard the vehicle strike the median divider and crash into the trees. They were only a couple hundred yards awa,y but by the time they ran to the vehicle it was already totally engulfed in fire. The tried to rescue the three victims, but were unable to do so.

We're told the two female victims are sisters from Galveston County - Maria Castillo, 18, and Mayra Castillo, 22. The male victim has been identified as Marvin Garcia.

The driver is 20-year-old Marvin Sarmentos. He was transported to Southeast Memorial Hospital for burns and lacerations. Charges are pending against him for failure to render aid, a felony.

Anyone having any information on this incident is urged to call the Webster Police Department at 281-332-2426.