Note: This story has been updated to add comment from the employer of the woman who has been charged.
A 28-year-old Austin woman has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after officials said she was under the influence of alcohol Tuesday night when she caused a fatal crash west of Bastrop, Texas Department of Public Safety officials said.
Jails records showed that Suzanne Roberta Hodgson was booked into the Bastrop County jail after being treated for injuries in connection with a fiery wreck on Texas 71 near the intersection of FM 1209, DPS officials said. Hodgson was released from jail Wednesday after posting $50,000, according to jail records.
Lorenzo Ruiz died at the scene of the crash that involved four vehicles, the officials said.
Ruiz had been stopped in his pickup at a red light on Texas 71 when a vehicle driven by Hodgson rear-ended his vehicle, according to the DPS. The two cars quickly were engulfed by flames, officials said. Ruiz was pronounced dead at the scene, they said.
Two tractor-trailers also were involved in the crash, DPS said.
Hodgson has been an employee of The Smithville Times since June 23. The Smithville Times is owned by the Austin American-Statesman.
The American-Statesman issued the following statement:
“We are aware of the tragic incident involving an employee of the Smithville Times, which is owned by the Austin American-Statesman, and are currently working with local authorities.”
The other drivers, two women and a man, were taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge with injuries that were not life-threatening, DPS officials said. Investigators said that Hodgson had been drinking that day..
The fiery crash occurred at about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday evening just outside Bastrop city limits, officials confirmed.
Two of the vehicles involved in the crash caught fire, resulting in the closure of westbound lanes on Texas until around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday.
The fire caused enough damage to the highway to result in crews from the Texas Department of Transportation being called out to the scene to make repairs, officials said.
For more details, read Saturday’s Bastrop Advertiser.
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