Car Wreck Leads Police to Domestic Abuse

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – A car wreck in the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug.18 led Crockett police to arrest a 27-year-old Crockett man on a charge of assaulting a family member or member of a household with a previous conviction.

Victor Javier Estrada was taken into custody and charged with the third degree felony after his fiancé was involved in a wreck shortly after midnight at the intersection of Bowie Avenue and East Loop 304.

“One of the persons involved (in the wreck), (the victim) advised she was at fault for the accident and she was fleeing from her fiancé, Victor Javier Estrada, who was being abusive to her,” an affidavit of probable cause stated.

Responding CPD Officer Andrew Curry “… observed what appeared to be defensive wounds on her hands with minor cuts on the top of her left hand. (The victim) had scrapes and bruises all down her left arm, especially down the inside of her arm. The inside of (the victim’s) left bicep had a red purple abrasion consistent with abuse. (The victim) advised she fought back and injured Estrada before fleeing with her small children.”

When the children were asked what happened, they told the policeman Estrada appeared to be intoxicated and was yelling at their mother. They also indicated Estrada threw a glass at their mom who threw it back at Estrada, the affidavit reported.

The legal document indicated Curry went to an address located at 612 Frye St. where he made contact with Estrada.

“I immediately observed Estrada’s left eye was bulging and bleeding,” Curry stated in the affidavit. “I observed multiple scratches on Estrada’s face and neck. I asked Estrada what happened and he advised he was in a fight, but would not say with who.”

An individual at the Frye Street address confirmed she heard yelling and screaming between Estrada and the victim and saw the couple pushing one another.

After it was confirmed Estrada and the victim were in a relationship, Estrada was arrested for assaulting a family member or member of a household.

He was taken to Crockett Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries before he was transported to the Houston County Jail where he was booked into custody. During the booking, it was learned Estrada had previously been convicted of the same crime in 2010.

Estrada‘s charge is a third degree felony.

According to Section 12.34 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than two years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

Estrada posted a bond of $10,000 and was released pending further legal proceedings.

 

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]