October 21, 2011 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in a fatal hit-and-run traffic accident in the 4100 block of Dowling near Cleburne about 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday (Oct. 18).

The suspect, Daniel Garcia Palacios (H/m DOB: 2-10-94), is charged with manslaughter and accident involving injury/death in the 228th State District Court. A photo of suspect Palacios is attached to this news release.

The victim, Catherine Shaw, 27, of Lancaster, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Vehicular Crimes Division Sergeant I. Izaguirre and Officer R. Bymaster reported:

HPD patrol officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call at 3902 Hamilton. Officers arrived and saw two Hispanic males inside a gray Buick LeSabre. Officers gave verbal commands for both suspects to exit the vehicle and, as the passenger exited, the driver immediately fled the scene in the vehicle. As HPD patrol units searched the area, they observed an accident had just occurred at 4100 Dowling near Cleburne. A preliminary investigation determined one of the vehicles involved was the suspect's vehicle from Hamilton Street.

Further investigation determined the Buick was traveling eastbound on Cleburne at a high rate of speed when it ran the red light and struck a gray Nissan Altima. Ms. Shaw, the back seat passenger in the Altima was killed and the other two persons in the Altima were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Further investigation identified Palacios as the suspect in this case and, on Wednesday (Oct. 19), he turned himself into police without incident. He has admitted to investigators his role in this incident.

Update: VHS/JFC 10-21-11
VHS/JFC 10-19-11
Inc. #135519611