Trial begins for former MCPD officer charged in 2024 crash that killed mom, son and 1 other person

MISSOURI CITY, Texas (KTRK) -- Nearly two years after a mother and her son were hit and killed in Missouri City, the trial is set to begin today for the former officer who is charged.

Missouri City police officer Blademir Viveros, 27, was charged with two counts of manslaughter, three counts of aggravated assault by a public servant, and one count of aggravated assault.

He is accused of hitting and killing 53-year-old Houston ISD counselor Angela Stewart and her 16-year-old son, Mason, on June 20, 2024.

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According to officials, Viveros received a call of a robbery in progress at about 8:42 p.m. at an ATM in the 1600 block of Cartwright Road. An armed suspect allegedly had cornered a victim at the machine and took $200 from them before fleeing in a silver Honda Civic. The victim was reportedly on the phone with 911 while following them.

Mason and his mother were pulling out of a nearby Dollar Tree parking lot and were T-boned by Viveros, who was heading eastbound on Cartwright, officials said. Witnesses described the crash, saying they heard a loud sound, then saw the police cruiser crush the other vehicle and catch fire.

Officials said Mason and Angela died at the scene. It was also revealed that the teen was celebrating his 16th birthday and had just gotten his license.

A few hours later, police said a person was found in Viveros' patrol car. Video from the scene shows first responders frantically rescuing the man, identified as Michael Hawkins, from the back seat. He was taken to Ben Taub Hospital and was placed on life support. He was then taken to a rehabilitation center and was paralyzed from the waist down, his family told ABC13.

Seven months later, Hawkins died, officials said.

It remains unclear why he was in the police cruiser, and officials said Viveros violated MCPD's policy of responding to a scene with someone in the police unit.

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Viveros, who had been with the department for a year, allegedly did was not operating full lights and sirens, and was going over the posted speed limit as he responded to the call. In response, he was terminally fired and later charged.

A grand jury re-indicted Viveros after Hawkin's death on three counts of aggravated assault by a public servant, which is a first-degree felony. If he is found guilty, he faces life in prison.

Both the Stewart and Hawkins families have sued the MCPD.