Charge dropped for DWI suspect who allegedly caused head-on collision in NE Houston, records show

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man is behind bars after reportedly being out on bond for a DWI when he allegedly caused a head-on collision that severely injured a woman over the weekend.

On Saturday, officials said Edward Hernandez, 24, was driving the wrong way in the HOV lane of the Gulf Freeway between I-610 and Lockwood just after 8 p.m.

Hernandez collided with another vehicle, which flipped upside down, METRO police said.

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According to a friend of the woman who was injured, she had to have surgery and suffered a broken leg.

A spokesperson from the Harris County District Attorney's Office said the arresting officer at the scene that night noticed Hernandez had slurred speech and transported him to a processing facility for a field sobriety test. During the test, the 24-year-old allegedly struggled to keep his balance and stepped off the line. METRO police also reported finding a bottle cap for an alcoholic beverage and gold foil, found on some beer bottles, inside his car.

The judge noted none of this proves he was drunk at the time of the crash, and led to the initial charge of driving while intoxicated being dropped, officials said. A blood draw was performed and the pending results could impact whether the charges are refiled.

Court documents revealed, at the time of the crash, Hernandez had been out on bond for only 15 days after an initial DWI arrest on April 11.

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Hernandez was only charged with failure to stop and render aid in this crash. His bond was set at $25,000, and court records said he appeared in court on Monday.

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