Officials announced on Wednesday morning that Interstate 20 had been closed due to a tragic accident near FM 740.
Dallas police have confirmed the identity of the suspect who allegedly struck and killed four individuals and injured three others while driving under the influence on Interstate 20.
According to a press release from Mesquite police, a collision took place at approximately 1:44 a.m. on January 1 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 at FM 740.
According to the police, an intoxicated driver struck the victims at a high rate of speed while they were trying to change a tire on the outside shoulder.
Basilio Mares Ortiz, the driver involved in the incident, has been apprehended and is facing charges of four counts of intoxication manslaughter, according to law enforcement. Jail records indicate that Ortiz’s bond has been set at $1 million, with $250,000 assigned to each count.
The police have identified the individuals who lost their lives in the tragic incident. The victims have been identified as Arturo Martinez Gonzalez, aged 47, Anthony Hernandez, aged 19, Mario De La Paz, aged 19, and a 15-year-old male. All of them hailed from Terrell, as confirmed by the authorities. In response to this devastating loss, the family of the two teenagers involved in the crash has set up a GoFundMe page to gather financial support for the funeral expenses.
Anthony Hernandez and Arturo Martinez’s family has also set up a GoFundMe to provide support for their family.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported that the fatal crash on Wednesday morning led to the closure of the eastbound lanes on Interstate 20. However, TxDOT has confirmed that all lanes have now been reopened.