Frightened Drivers in River Bottom

LIBERTY, December 18, 2007 - It was around 8:30 PM when Maria Petra Lopez age 46 of Liberty was traveling east on US 90 near the Trinity River Bridge. Her vehicle, a 2000 Chevy Pickup was struck in the rear by a 1993 Chevy Caprice driven by Erick Wayne Castellow age 28 of Porter, TX.

Castellow turned around and fled the scene of the accident not bothering to check on the condition of Ms. Lopez or rendering aid.

Castellow then traveled westbound in the eastbound lanes of US 90 through the river bottom toward Dayton meeting traffic head on.

Beer cans found by police inside Castellow's vehicle

Castellow collided with at least two other vehicles before losing control and running his car into the center median about one half mile from the Dayton Hill.

The driver of one of the vehicles Castellow struck told a terrifying tale of seeing what he thought was a motorcycle coming toward him in the eastbound lane only to realize at the last minute that it was car traveling in the wrong direction forcing him to take swift evasive action to avoid hitting the car head on.

Castellow’s vehicle had only one working head light because much of the vehicle's front end and right head light were taken out when it rear ended Ms. Lopez.

Officer’s took Castellow into custody at the scene and transported him to Jail where a field sobriety test and breath test were administered.

Castellow was placed in the Liberty County Jail on charges of Driving While Intoxicated, Second Offense, Failure to Stop and Render Aid, and Failure to Stop and Give Information at an Accident.