Shortly before midnight Friday, 20-year old Jose Banda's Chevy Malibu car crashed into the rear of David Barajas, Sr.'s Ford F250 pickup truck, killing David's two sons: 12-year old David, Jr. and 11-year old Caleb Barajas. The truck ran out of gas as the Barajas family returned from visiting relatives and the boys were helping their father push it: the family was only 50 yards or so from their driveway at the time of the crash. David's wife Cindy and their 8-year old daughter and 3-month old son, riding in the truck, were partially knocked into a roadside ditch. The crash happened on Country Road 144 in Alvin, a narrow two lane road with no shoulder or street lights.
Dominick Sanders, an investigator for the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, told the Houston Chronicle that law enforcement believes alcohol was a factor in Banda rear-ending the Barajas pickup truck. The medical examiner has not yet released Banda's blood alcohol content.
The story does not end with the tragic deaths of the young Barajas brothers however. Some times shortly after the collision, Jose Banda died of a gunshot wound to the head that was not self-inflicted and his death has been reported a homicide. Investigator Sanders told the Chronicle that the audio of a 911 call revealed that the caller reported hearing gunshots after he initiated the phone call to report the car accident. The investigation of both the crash and Banda's homicide are ongoing.
Update: according to a story posted on Channel 11's web page on 12/12/12, the Barajas family are now receiving threats online, specifically through Facebook. Cindy and David Barajas told Ch. 11 that somebody has threatened a drive-by shooting at their home, so they are staying elsewhere. Another online communication accused Cindy Barajas of having been the person who shot Jose Banda after the accident.
Update: a story posted to FOX News' web site on 12/14/12 includes an interview with Gabriel Barajas, brother to David Barajas and uncle to Caleb and David, Jr. According to Gabriel, his brother remembers trying to get to his sons after the crash and the next distinct memory he has is waking up in the hospital. Investigators say they are still looking for the person who fatally shot Jose Banda in the head after the crash, and are also looking for the weapon used.
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| CR 144 in Alvin, scene of the fatal Friday night collision |
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| Law enforcement suspects Jose Banda (20) was driving drunk when his Chevy Malibu rear-ended the Barajas family F-250 pickup. |
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| David and Cindy Barajas with David, Jr., Caleb and their 8-year old girl |
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| The Barajas' pickup truck, at rest in the roadside ditch |
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| Victims David, Jr. (left) and Caleb Barajas (right). |
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| Jose Banda in a family picture |
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