UPDATE: TRAFFIC INVESTIGATORS FILE CHARGES AGAINST WOMAN IN THE DEATH OF HER 9 MONTH OLD GRANDSON

 RELEASE DATE / TIME : 04-15-11 9:00 AM

UPDATE 4-15-11:

EL PASO, TEXAS-  Special Traffic Investigator’s (STI) report that as of yesterday 04-14-11, CRIMINAL NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE charges have been filed against MARIA HONESTO for the death of her 9 month old grandson EMILIO HONESTO in last months fatal accident in Canutillo, TX (03/26). Due to MARIA HONESTO’s critical condition at a local hospital, STI’s presented the case to the District Attorneys Office as a NON-ARREST. It is now in the hands of the DA’s office to decide if they want to continue with the charges against MARIA HONESTO.

UPDATE 3-29-11:

CANUTILLO, TEXAS-  Special Traffic Investigator’s (STI) report that as of this morning 03-29-11 10:00 am - the investigation is still ongoing & charges are still pending against the driver of the Ford Ranger MARIA HONESTO.

Status on the Occupants:

• MARIA HONESTO 59 (Driver of Ford Ranger) - remains in critical but stable condition  at an area hospital after having undergone surgery over the weekend.
• AMANDA SANCHEZ 24 (Driver of Chrysler Sebring) - also underwent surgery 03-28-11 & remains in stable condition at an area hospital.
• BLANCA CANO 47 (Passenger in Chrysler Sebring) - was recently released from an area hospital having sustained minor injuries.

PHOTOS COURTESY EPCSO:

BACKGROUND:

CANUTILLO, TEXAS-  Early Saturday morning 03/26 at 6:43am, Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the 6900 block of Doniphan (Near the intersection of Doniphan & Canutillo) reference a serious head-on motor vehicle accident.  Deputies along with the West Valley fire department arrived on scene to find a 2000 Ford Ranger & a 2010 Chrysler Sebring on the roadway – both vehicles having sustained heavy damage. 

First responders found both vehicles with 2 passengers each;

• The Ford Ranger was occupied by 59 year-old MARIA HONESTO (Driver) & 9 month old infant EMILIO HONESTO .
• The Chrysler Sebring was occupied by a 24 year-old AMANDA SANCHEZ (Driver) &  47 year-old BLANCA CANO (front passenger).

All occupants sustained serious injuries & were transported to area hospitals via Ambulance & Air transport. Special Traffic Investigators were summoned to the scene. 

Preliminary Investigation by STI’s, revealed that the Ford Ranger driven by MARIA HONESTO was traveling north on the inside lane at the 6900 block of Doniphan. The infant, 9 month-old EMILIO (Deceased) was in the vehicle unrestrained on the front right passenger seat of the vehicle, & was traveling on a baby bouncer & NOT in a Childs’ Car Seat safety device. As MARIA HONESTO continued north on Doniphan, for unknown reasons, she veered onto the southbound inside lane & instantly collided head on with the 2010 Chrysler Sebring.

EMILIO HONESTO succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash & died while enroute to the hospital. His grandmother MARIA HONESTO was also unrestrained & suffered serious injuries as the result of the violent impact & was air lifted to a local hospital. She remains in critical condition. 

Both driver & passenger in the Chrysler were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash & remain in stable condition at a local hospital. 

AT THIS TIME – SPEED & ALCOHOL DO NOT APPEAR TO BE FACTORS IN THIS FATAL CRASH.

CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST MARIA HONESTO - DRIVER OF THE FORD RANGER

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES – NO OTHER INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the   State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4^th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy