(CBS/KHOU) HOUSTON, Texas - A driver accused of hitting and killing a Houston officer while intoxicated Sunday was an illegal immigrant from Mexico who had been deported previously from the United States, according to authorities.
Police said Johoan Rodriguez, 26, had a blood alcohol level three times over the legal limit and had cocaine in his pocket when he struck and killed Officer Kevin Will, 38, with his vehicle, reports CBS station KHOU.
Rodriguez was charged with intoxication manslaughter, felony evading and possession of a controlled substance, and an immigration hold was placed on him.
The station reports that Officer Will was talking to a witness to a motorcycle accident around 2 a.m. when the driver of a Volkswagen Beetle broke through a police barricade at the scene. Will reportedly pushed the witness out of the way before being hit. He reportedly died at the scene.
According to court records, Rodriguez was previously deported and then attempted to enter the U.S. by claiming to be a U.S. citizen born in Texas, using a Texas driver's license to support the claim, reports KHOU. Rodriguez reportedly managed to reenter the country some time after that.
Officer Will is survived by his wife, who is six months pregnant, and two children, 6 and 10.
