18-year-old arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter after Denton crash
The Denton Police Department has arrested an 18-year-old driver for Intoxication Manslaughter following a fatal Saturday morning crash.
At 3:16 a.m., an officer observed a Dodge Charger driving with no headlights on and unable to maintain a single lane on southbound I-35E. After the officer activated emergency lights for a traffic stop, the Charger sped up to more than 100 mph and continued to accelerate. About 30 seconds after the attempted traffic stop was initiated, the Charger crashed into the back of a sedan, pushing the vehicle off the interstate and onto the service road near Wind River Lane.
The initial officer went to the sedan and immediately attempted life-saving measures on the rear passenger, who was later pronounced deceased. His identity will be released by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office pending family notification. The sedan driver and front passenger were transported to the hospital for treatment and have since been released.
The driver of the Charger was identified as 18-year-old Jonathan Vargas. He sustained minor lacerations when his vehicle flipped on the interstate during the crash. Following an on-scene investigation, Vargas was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter and Evading Arrest/Detention with Vehicle Causes Serious Bodily Injury or Death. He is currently in the City of Denton Jail with bond not yet set.
Southbound lanes of I-35E in this area remain closed while the crash investigation continues.
