On May 16, 2015, Crystal Nuncio, who was employed by the Garland Police Department Communications Unit, was killed in a head on collision by a driver traveling the wrong way on IH-635. Crystal was driving with her two children who were seriously injured in the crash.
It was determined that the driver of the other vehicle, Luis Angel Rodriguez, was intoxicated. He was arrested and charged with one count of Intoxication Manslaughter and two counts of Intoxication Assault.
Rodriguez pled guilty to all three of the charges earlier this week and today he was sentenced to 13 years in prison by a jury.
Original report: Fatal wrong-way driver crash
Released May 16, 2015
This morning, just after 5 a.m., Garland Police Department officers and Garland Fire Department paramedics responded to the report of a vehicle crash on the westbound side of Interstate 635 at Jupiter Road. When officers arrived they discovered that a Chevrolet Tahoe had been traveling the wrong way and collided head-on with a Chevrolet HHR.
The HHR vehicle was occupied by a female driver, a 9-month-old baby boy and a 10-year-old girl. The female driver of the HHR died at the scene. The two children were transported to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. The 9-month-old boy is stable with no apparent life threatening injuries. The 10-year-old girl is in critical condition.
The HHR driver, who died, is identified as Crystal Nuncio. Crystal is employed by the Garland Police Department Communications Unit where she has worked as a police and fire dispatcher for the past nine years.
The wrong way driver was transported to Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas where he is listed in critical condition. He is identified as 25-year-old Luis Angel Rodriguez of Grand Prairie. Rodriguez will be facing charges of, one count – Intoxication Manslaughter and two counts – Intoxication Assault.