Police Blame Road Rage in Fatal Car Crash
By: Lisa Carr
Updated: March 23, 2009
Police say road rage is to blame in a fatal hit and run crash from last Friday. 25-year-old Mario Ortiz is facing charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault in the case. Police say just before 7:00 Friday evening, Ortiz and another driver started arguing over lane usage along the North Loop near Quaker. The argument escalated, and witnesses say Ortiz drove recklessly, causing a Ford minivan to spin out and flip. Paul Dewey was ejected from the van and died. Three others, including an infant, were injured. Police say evidence at the scene and witness testimony prove, this was not an accident.
Capt. Greg Stevens says, "In fact, it is being considered a homicide situation. Currently, the suspect has been charged with manslaughter which is basically to cause the death of another through reckless behavior or through reckless means."
Police say the woman driving the van, Barbara Fuller, remains in critical condition. Her daughter, Donna Fuller, is in stable condition, and the baby in the van has been treated and released. Ortiz is being held on a $275,000 bond.
