Hunter Cameron Villasana: Teen charged with manslaughter for killing a woman while driving intoxicated

HOUSTON, TEXAS: A Texas teenager faces manslaughter charges after he allegedly plowed into a homeless woman, killing her while he was under the influence of alcohol, authorities said. On Monday, December 18, Hunter Cameron Villasana, 17, appeared in the court after being charged with intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony, over the weekend. 

The Houston teen appeared wide-eyed as he made his first court appearance. He was seen wearing a white collared shirt and dark suit jacket. 

When was Hunter Cameron Villasana arrested?

Villasana was arrested on Friday, December 15, by Houston City Police after he reportedly crashed along West Interstate Highway 10 at around 11.25 pm. Police say he was driving a black Mercedes GLK 350 when he attempted to turn at 'an unsafe speed.'

“The Mercedes failed to stay in a single lane, struck a curb and a pedestrian sleeping on the median before striking a wall,” police said in a statement. 

Hunter Cameron Villasana apparently tried to flee the scene 

Villasana, who was later identified as the driver, reportedly attempted to flee the scene but was held by witnesses. The victim, a homeless woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have reportedly been unable to identify the woman till now. Authorities have said she was a white woman in her 50s, and have asked if anyone might have known her to contact police. 

Hunter Cameron Villasana attempted to bribe witnesses

According to CBS News affiliate KHOU, Villasana attempted to bribe witnesses to let him go before police arrived, prosecutors claimed on Monday, December 18. Prosecutors claimed the teenager allegedly told fast food workers on the scene that he would Venmo them money. They also alleged that he initially lied to investigators, claiming the pedestrian hit was walking in the street.

"Drunk driving or intoxicated driving is a plague in Harris County," prosecutor Matthew Bergeron told the reporters, adding "Harris County, please do not drive under the influence, do not drive intoxicated, call a friend, call an Uber, anything to avoid this situation."

Villasana has since been released into his parent’s custody on a $200,000 bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court in February. The teenager, until then, has been ordered not to drive and wear an ankle monitor that detects alcohol.

Teen charged with Madison Schemitz stabbing tried to take his own life

Meaww has previously reported that Spencer Pearson, the 19-year-old charged with the brutal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend, 17-year-old Madison Schemitz, had allegedly attempted suicide just weeks before the horrific attack that left Schemitz paralyzed.

Pearson, who pleaded not guilty to the charges of attempted murder, faces a tumultuous legal battle that now includes revelations about his mental health struggles leading up to the incident.

Schemitz, a senior at Ponte Vedra High School, was at a restaurant with her mother, Jacki Roge, and friend Casey Estep on June 3 when they encountered Pearson. Roge had previously filed a complaint against Pearson for allegedly stalking the 17-year-old following their breakup.