Houston-area cop, 11-year-old killed during police chase
PATTON VILLAGE, Texas - A Houston-area officer and a boy died after an SUV carrying the child struck a police car pursuing a suspected drunken driver.
The Department of Public Safety identified the victims of Sunday night's accident as Patton Village police Sgt. Stacey Baumgartner and 11-year-old Adan Hilario Jr.
Prosecutors say four more children and two adults in the SUV were hospitalized in critical condition.
DPS says Baumgartner responded to a report of a man urinating in public. CBS affiliate KHOU reports the suspect took off in his Scion tC, leading officers on a high-speed chase. During the chase, Baumgartner's car was t-boned by an SUV at an intersection.
The suspect saw the wreck in his rearview mirror and returned to the scene.
Garrett William Nee was charged with murder in the officer's death, intoxication manslaughter in both deaths, plus six counts of intoxication assault with a vehicle.
Online records don't list an attorney for Nee, whose bond was $1.3 million.
KHOU-TV spoke with the suspect's neighbors on Monday. They described him as a Marine who is part of a "very nice" and "real wholesome" family."
"They go to the park, they go for a walk every night - plays with his kids, never seen anything out of the ordinary," said neighbor Jason Sands. "This is super mind blowing."
Nee remains jailed on bond.
Baumgartner leaves behind a wife and 5-year-old daughter, reports KHOU. He had reportedly enjoyed a Father's Day lunch just before reporting for duty on Sunday.