Thread: Man wanted for questioning in accident that took the life of Houston teen

Man wanted for questioning in accident that took the life of Houston teen

Illegal immigrant status

courtesy Houston Police Dept.
Investigators are asking for the public's help in
locating Martin Ayala Sanchez, 31, to determine
what information he might have regarding a fatal
crash that happened in southeast Houston on
June 23.

Posted: Friday, July 15, 2016 3:27 pm By Kristi Nix

The Houston Police Department is searching for a Friendswood man in connection with a recent car crash that took the life of a Houston teenager. The victim, identified as 19-year-old Kevin Joel Berrios-Rivera, was killed on June 23 in a violent two-car collision in southeast Houston.

According to HPD officials, officers were dispatched to 7800 Galveston Road around 10 p.m. to investigate reports of a two-car accident. HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant J. Roque and Officer A. Holmes reported that their investigation found a burgundy Scion was traveling south on Galveston Road and attempting to make a left turn when a blue Ford Mustang slammed into the back of the scion.

Berrios-Rivera was sitting in the back seat at the time of the crash and received the most serious injuries of the five people in the car. First-responders rushed the teenager to Memorial Hermann Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The other four passengers were also taken to area hospitals where they were treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Following the crash, the Mustang was found to have skidded to a stop near the railroad tracks a short distance south of the original crash. Officers went to interview the driver but found he had fled the scene on foot.

In the days following the accident, Houston Police Investigator Dean Nguyen began checking into records for the Mustang and discovered 31-year-old Martin Ayala Sanchez was listed as the owner. The last known address for Sanchez was listed as a residence in the residence located in the 16300 block of Tibet Road in Friendswood, according to Harris County Court records. A second address was also found that showed Sanchez had lived at in an apartment complex east of Friendswood in the Clear Lake area.

Nguyen visited both addresses but Sanchez was reportedly nowhere to be found. Nguyen, however, was able to interview the manager of the apartment complex. The manager reported that he hadn’t seen Sanchez recently but knew he had been working less than five miles away at the Cinema Grill at Baybrook Mall.

Investigator Nguyen continued to follow up and was able to talk with Sanchez’ employer who said he had not been seen recently there either. The manager was able to provide a copy of Sanchez’ social security card and other documents obtained when Sanchez was hired last March. Following up on that information, the investigator discovered that social security card listed a number that belonged to a woman who died in 1993. As a result, felony charges of Tampering with a Government Record were filed against Sanchez.

Illegal immigrant status

Records related to a previous arrest indicate Sanchez arrived in the United States from Mexico in 2008. Since then, Sanchez had not secured a work visa and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division (ICE) had issued an immigration detainer on two occasions. Ultimately, the detainer was eventually released for the last time on Nov. 23, 2009 but records reveal no information as to why ICE officials cleared his status.

Documents from the investigation into the hit-and-run accident indicate Sanchez was still living and working in the U.S. without a work visa and still had not attained citizen status.

Two prior DWI convictions

According to Harris County Criminal Court records, the investigation into the hit-and-run accident is not the first time Sanchez has caught the attention of law enforcement officers.

In 2009, he was arrested by Harris County Sheriff Deputies for driving drunk. Sanchez was eventually convicted on misdemeanor charges of Driving While Intoxicated and sentenced to 30 days in the Harris County Jail and a $750 fine.

Then, on March 23, 2010 Sanchez was against arrested by Houston Police Department officers for driving drunk. Sanchez eventually plead guilty and was convicted on felony charges of Driving While Intoxicated Second Offence. A Harris County Judge sentenced Sanchez to 60 days in the Harris County Jail and revoked his driver’s license for 18 months, court records show.

Investigators say they would like to talk to Sanchez about the accident but stress no charges have been filed against him in connection with the tragic car crash.

Anyone with information related to the case or those who may be know Sanchez’ whereabouts are asked to contact the Houston Police Department Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4065 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.

Man wanted for questioning in accident that took the life of Houston teen

When these people are caught the first time they should be immediately walked right back over the border!

STOP TEARING AMERICAN FAMILIES APART.

NO PAPERS, NO ENTRY, NO RIGHT, NO JUDGE, NO LAWYER!