The driver who plowed his vehicle through a group of people near a migrant shelter in Brownsville, Tex. was visibly intoxicated at the time and shouted, “They got in my way,” shortly after the deadly crash, according to the arrest report.
Eight people were killed and another 10 injured when George Alvarez drove a gray Range Rover SUV into a group of people gathered across the street from the Ozanam Center on Sunday. The nonprofit homeless shelter was established to help house migrants arriving in the border town.
Alvarez attempted to flee but was detained by passersby until authorities arrived on the scene. He has since been charged with eight counts of manslaughter and 10 counts of aggravated assault. He has remained in custody as of Saturday on a $3.6 million bond.
“When I got close to Alvarez, I was able to see that he was obviously intoxicated,” the arresting officer wrote in a report obtained by CNN. “He had droopy, watery eyes and had a look of fatigue on his face. He was also in a state of excitement and was verbally engaging with the bystanders nearby who were hostile toward him.”
He also had marijuana, cocaine and benzodiazepines in his system at the time of the collision, according to a toxicology report from Valley Regional Medical Center.
Police said it’s still unclear whether Alvarez intentionally plowed his vehicle through the group, most of then waiting for the bus to return to downtown Brownsville after spending the night at the shelter. With no bench at the unmarked stop, several of them were seated on the curb when they were hit.
None of the victims have been identified. Authorities said they are waiting on the consulate of Venezuela to let them identity its citizens.
Seven people remain hospitalized