Bond lowered to $75K for 25-year-old accused of DWI in deadly wrong-way crash on Southwest Fwy

Courtney Fischer Image
Monday, June 26, 2023
25-year-old charged in deadly wrong-way crash on SW Fwy due in court
The suspect got on the 527 Spur going the wrong way, and kept going for a few exits before slamming into a 42-year-old on a Harley bike, investigators say.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A 25-year-old accused of killing a motorcyclist after driving the wrong way down the I-69 Southwest Freeway while intoxicated appeared in court Monday.

The deadly crash happened just before 2 a.m. last Friday. Investigators believe Eduardo Umana Cordona got onto the 527 Spur going the wrong way and kept going for at least a few exits before slamming into a motorcyclist.

SEE ORIGINAL REPORT: Motorcyclist killed in wrong-way crash with possible drunk driver on I-69 Southwest Fwy, HPD says

As a result, 42-year-old Quincy Brown, who was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, was killed.

Video of the aftermath shows shows Umana Cordona's red Kia Sorrento and the bike go up in flames.

The suspect and his 25-year-old passenger were taken to a hospital, but neither had serious injuries.

Officers conducted a field sobriety test and officials obtained a blood warrant. Umana Cordona was subsequently charged with intoxication manslaughter.

His bond was originally set at $100,000, but was later lowered to $75,000.

The judge granted prosecutors' motion for bond conditions. If Umana Cordona posts his bond and is released from jail, he wont be allowed to drive, must submit to testing, and won't be allowed to drink alcohol or ingest controlled substances. He must also wear a SCRAM device, which monitors alcohol intake.

Prosecutors believe Umana Cordona was visiting Houston from Florida at the time of the deadly crash.

"This case is just a grim reminder of the dangers of driving while intoxicated. It's a plague that has plagued Harris County," said Assistant DA Mateo Gonzalez with Harris County District Attorney's Office. "Getting behind the wheel while intoxicated not only puts your life at risk, but puts the lives of the people on the road at risk. It's reckless and it's a very selfish decision to make."

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