CONROE – An illegal alien and repeat driving while the intoxicated offender was indicted last Thursday in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on Sept. 19 in South Montgomery County.
Andres Canceco, 22, of 28603 Red Fox in Magnolia will be tried on the charges of intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle and intoxicated assault that causes serious bodily injury.
The crash occurred just before midnight on a Saturday night, on the main lanes of I-45 N. near Rayford Rd. when Canceco’s 2002 Chevy Blazer was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes and collided almost head-on with a northbound Toyota Avalon. The Blazer struck the Avalon more to the passenger side, killing Jan Bennett of Huntsville instantly.
Bennett was riding with her husband, Robert who is the principal of an alternative high school in the Huntsville Independent School District. Jan Bennett was pronounced dead on the scene. Robert Bennett suffered a broken arm and was transported by MCHD ground ambulance to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital with no serious injuries. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were on their way home from a Huntsville High School football game.
Canceco, who has a criminal record in the US, gave a fictitious name on the scene.
He initially identified himself as “Bulmaro Santos,” after he tried to flee on foot and was detained by bystanders. Corona beer bottles were found around his vehicle.
In February of 2007, Canceco appeared in Montgomery County Court at Law 3 where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three days in jail with credit for time served, plus fine and court costs totaling $469.
Canceco was transported to an area hospital where a mandatory blood draw was performed to determine his level of intoxication, and then he was released to DPS, who took him to the Montgomery County Jail.
Other drivers had dialed 911 prior to the crash to report the Blazer traveling the wrong way and patrol officers were trying to locate the SUV when the crash occurred.
In addition to the previously mentioned offenses, there is an ICE hold on Canceco, meaning he can only be released to the US Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. If found guilty, Canceco will be deported after serving his sentence in the US. If exonerated, the deportation process will begin immediately.