Dallas firefighter going over 100 mph before deadly crash
DALLAS - Police documents say an off-duty firefighter was going over 100 miles per hour when his car hit and killed an 18-year-old and her unborn son.
Horace Shaw is charged with intoxication manslaughter for the deaths of Alyssa Pimentel and her son, Josiah, early Wednesday morning. Police say he did nothing after the crash to try to help the victims was not cooperative when officers arrived.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the 45-year-old and his passenger had been drinking at a bar. First responders found a flask in the car at the time of the crash.
Shaw was driving a white Mercedes Benz that belonged to his passenger. A witness told police Shaw passed him going between 100 and 110 miles per hour on Highway 67. Shaw's passenger also answered yes when officers asked if Shaw had been "showing off," the document says.
Pimentel and her boyfriend, Isaiah Perez, were thrown from their SUV. She died at the hospital. Her baby was born after the crash but only lived for a few minutes. Perez said the baby was due on Christmas day.
The affidavit describes Shaw's unusual behavior after the accident. According to a witness, Shaw got out of his vehicle after the crash, went over to where Pimentel was laying, "told the witness he was a paramedic, and then laid on the ground."
One witness said Shaw "appeared to be intoxicated" and "observed the defendant was unable to walk straight when he exited his vehicle."
Shaw's passenger told police they had been drinking at Thibodeaux's in Duncanville about 10 miles from the crash scene. The restaurant owner said she Shaw as a family friend and has never seen him drunk. She said she watched the video of him at her restaurant, and he did not appear drunk. She believes he went to another bar after he left.
Cedar Hill police say Shaw hasn't spoken with detectives. He refused to speak with officers at the scene of the crash and immediately asked for an attorney.
The police department has a warrant for Shaw's blood work so they can submit it for testing to determine what his blood alcohol content was.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief David Coatney offered condolences to the family.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the loss and the people who are struggling with that. That's pretty much it while the investigation continues," he said.
Shaw was released from the Dallas County jail late Wednesday night after posting bond. He is on administrative leave from the fire department pending an investigation. He has worked for Dallas Fire-Rescue for 12 years.
Cedar Hill police say more charges against Shaw are pending.