Pasadena man indicted for aggravated assault after wreck
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

The severe auto wreck injuries a 15-year-old Santa Fe boy suffered in May have prompted the Wharton County Grand Jury to hand down a twocount indictment against the man allegedly responsible.

Following the rollover wreck of their 2001 white Ford van, the boy and two other members of his family were flown via helicopter ambulance from U.S. 59 at the El Campo FM 1162 exit on May 18.

The child reportedly suffered major head injuries and blood loss that night, but survived the crash.

In all, seven members of the same Santa Fe family were hurt that night - although all recovered.

One of the family's dogs wasn't so lucky.

Their family van was clipped from the front by a 1998 Volkswagen allegedly driven by Juan Rodriguez Villarreal, 34, of Pasadena who now stands accused of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and failure to stop and render aid for his alleged actions.

That night the Volkswagen four-door sedan was found resting on its top on the highway's shoulder with the driver unaccounted for as emergency responders arrived on the scene shortly after nightfall.

Closer to the corn field, the Santa Fe family's van sat resting on its driver's side with contents and people strewn about.

Within minutes, EMS crews learned they had seven wounded on the ground and another man who had reportedly fled the scene.

Southbound traffic on U.S. 59 was diverted through town for several hours as emergency crews struggled to save lives.

A 15-year-old boy sustained the worst injuries and at first authorities feared for his life as Air Evac rushed him to the Houston trauma center.

Two others - a 17-year-old boy and a 23-year-old woman - were flown in the same Life Flight helicopter ambulance with suspected head and spinal trauma.

The other four, including a 1- year-old girl were taken to El Campo Memorial Hospital with less serious injuries.

The next morning Villarreal turned himself in at the El Campo police station.