A New Caney man with no history of drunk driving now faces multiple felony charges because he chose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, with a vehicle full of children.
On March 16, around 1 a.m., a Pct. 4 Deputy Constable responded to a disturbance in progress at the Super 8 Motel in the 24000 block of US 59 in Porter where the reportee said a large group of people was arguing and destroying the lobby. As he responded to the location, the deputy saw a white extended cab Chevy Silverado pickup with several people inside attempt to exit the motel parking lot where there was no exit, dropping his wheels over the curb before turning around and using an existing exit.
The deputy followed the truck, driven by 39-year-old Pablo Roberto Trejo, Jr., to Ford Road where he initiated a traffic stop to check the welfare of its occupants. Upon making contact, the deputy smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage and saw five children in the rear seat area of the vehicle ranging in age from 4 to 13 years old. An adult female was in the front passenger seat.
Trejo had alcohol on his breath, slurred speech and multiple other indicators of intoxication. The deputy asked him to step to the rear of the vehicle out of consideration for the children who were already crying. The adult female passenger, who was highly intoxicated, then became belligerent toward the deputy, but he allowed her to stay in the vehicle with the children.
Trejo said he had been at a wedding reception at a nearby banquet hall and intended to get a room at the Super 8 Motel because of his alcohol consumption, but things went awry. Trejo claimed he had reservations for himself and other friends or family members, totaling five rooms, but there was some issue with an added fee when they tried to check in. He said his friend got into a heated argument with the manager, Trejo took his family and left the motel, heading home. The deputy asked Trejo about the amount of alcohol he consumed that evening and Trejo admitted drinking at least four 16 ounce beers over a six-hour period.
While receiving instructions for the Standard Field Sobriety Test, Trejo was unable to keep his balance. Before Trejo could perform the requested action, his passenger got out of the truck and began yelling at him to refuse everything. At that point, Trejo refused to perform the SFST, saying he would refuse any further testing, which included providing a breath or blood sample. However, due to the seriousness of the charges, a blood sample was required and he was taken to Kingwood Hospital where blood was drawn. The blood sample was sent to the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Lab for analysis.
A check of Trejo’s identity through dispatch showed no prior DWI convictions. He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail, charged with five counts of Driving While Intoxicated with Child Under 15 Years of Age, which is a state jail felony.
The adult female passenger also admitted consuming multiple alcoholic beverages. She and the five children were released to the care of a sober adult.
Trejo has since been released on $7,500 bond ($1,500 per count).
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