Update on Traffic Incident at 8200 La Porte Freeway

February 28, 2007 -- Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in a fatal traffic accident at 8200 La Porte Freeway about 2:45 a.m. Sunday, February 4, 2007.

The suspect, Guadalupe Sosa Carpio (H/m, DOB: 1/14/79), is charged with murder in the 179th State District Court. He was taken into custody today (Feb. 28) without incident.

The victim, Martin Pina Cortez Jr., 20, of Edinburg, Texas, suffered severe head and internal injuries as a result of the traffic accident and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he died.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant E. Gonzalez and Officer R. Chappell reported:

Mr. Cortez and several people were involved in a minor accident at Monroe and the Gulf Freeway that led to an altercation involving shots being fired from a third vehicle. All vehicles became involved in a chase that ended in the 8200 block of the La Porte Freeway where two of the vehicles collided, including the pickup truck in which Cortez was riding, causing that pickup to overturn. Investigators determined Cortez was a front seat passenger in the overturned pickup truck, which was being fired upon by Carpio. Upon consultation with the Harris County District Attorney's office, it was determined a murder charge would be filed in this case.

NJM/JFC 2/28/07
NJM 2/4/07
Inc #17313407

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.