Drunk Driving Illegal Immigrant Released on Bail after Hit & Run that Injures Mother & Daughter

Authorities say a drunken driver injured two women in a head-on collision in Metairie on Saturday, then fled the scene. Deputies later arrested Jesus Guzman-Gomez, 22, of Metairie, an arrest report said.

Jesus Guzman-Gomez arrested in hit-run

The wreck occurred just after 10:30 a.m. in the 3600 block of Cypress Street in Metairie, said Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. Guzman-Gomez was headed westbound in a maroon Jeep Cherokee when he veered inexplicably into the eastbound lanes, an arrest report said.

Guzman-Gomez's vehicle crashed head-on into a red Jeep Cherokee being driven by an unidentified 49-year-old woman, Fortunato said. He then drove off without stopping or identifying himself, the report said.

The driver of the red Jeep Cherokee suffered head, neck and back injuries, the arrest report said. The woman's 21-year-old daughter was in the passenger seat and suffered severe injuries to her right side, the report said.

The woman's daughter was taken by ambulance to Ochsner Medical Center in Old Jefferson. Their conditions were not available Tuesday, but their injuries were not life-threatening, Fortunato said.

Based on descriptions given by the victims, deputies caught up with the suspect three blocks away on Cypress Street at Cleary Avenue, Fortunato said. Guzman-Gomez performed poorly on a field sobriety test. His blood alcohol was .135%, over the .08% legal limit, the report said.

Guzman-Gomez, of 8114 Buras St., Metairie, was booked Saturday with DWI, hit and run, two counts of vehicular negligent injuring, reckless operation of a vehicle, driving with no license and operating a vehicle with no legal presence in the United States. Bond was set at $7,650, but he was released Monday without bond because crowding at the jail.

SOURCE: nola.com