Intoxicated dad drives off ferry ramp with 2 kids in car (TX)

[JayS]

June 13, 2004, 2:18AM
Intoxicated dad drives off ferry ramp with 2 kids in car
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2624414



A Pasadena man was arrested late Friday when he was found to be drunk after his convertible plunged off the Lynchburg Ferry ramp into the water with his two children inside, authorities said.

Ruben Sandoval, 28, of the 2000 block of Jenkins, was charged with felony driving while intoxicated with a child passenger, Harris County sheriff's deputies said. His two sons, ages 4 and 9, were rescued by Alberto Morales of Deer Park who dove into the San Jacinto River, said sheriff's Lt. John Denholm.

*SNIP*

A breath test revealed Sandoval had a blood alcohol content of 0.14 percent after the crash, nearly twice the legal limit, Denholm said.

The accident occurred at 9:30 p.m. in the 900 block of Lynchburg Road where cars load on to the ferry. Witnesses told deputies Sandoval went around a stopped vehicle in a no-passing zone, then disregarded a control arm marking the end of the ramp. Sandoval slammed on the brakes, leaving 5 feet of skid marks before his car plunged into 25 feet of water, deputies said.

*SNIP*

Sandoval told deputies he was trying to reach Pasadena and thought he was driving on U.S. 90. "He said he was looking for I-10, and the next thing he knew, he was in the water," Denholm said.