Plano Man Is Accused of Drunk Driving in Deadly Collision That Killed Two People at an Intersection Friday Evening, Police Say
PLANO, TX — Police in Plano say a 22-year-old man was arrested after a Friday evening crash that killed two people in another vehicle. Investigators say the collision happened when a Ford F-150 struck a Toyota RAV4 near Alma Drive and Cross Bend Road.
According to the Plano Police Department, the pickup driver was traveling at a high rate of speed when the crash occurred around 7:15 p.m. Officers and Plano Fire-Rescue responded to the scene, where they found the two people inside the SUV unconscious. Both victims died at the intersection after emergency crews tried life-saving measures.
Police say the SUV was turning on a flashing yellow light
Investigators said the driver of the Toyota RAV4 was heading north on Alma Drive and attempted a left turn onto westbound Cross Bend Road while facing a flashing yellow light. Police said the northbound turn placed the SUV in the path of the southbound Ford F-150.
Plano police said the force of the impact caused the RAV4 to roll onto its right side. The crash also sent both vehicles into a traffic signal pole and a tree at the intersection, according to the department. Those details remain part of the continuing investigation into exactly how the collision unfolded.
Alcohol and speed are considered contributing factors
Plano Police said they believe alcohol and speed played a role in the deadly crash. On that basis, they arrested Steve Jaramillo and charged him with driving while intoxicated.
Officials said additional charges may be filed as detectives continue to examine the case. Police did not immediately say whether testing or other evidence will be used to support more serious charges, but they said the investigation is still active.
Emergency crews found both victims unconscious inside the RAV4
When officers arrived, they found the two people in the Toyota unconscious. Plano Fire-Rescue then worked to remove both victims from the vehicle and began emergency efforts at the scene.
Despite those efforts, police said both people died where the crash happened. The department has not yet released their identities, saying it is still working to notify next of kin before making their names public.
Deadly crashes at intersections often turn on speed and visibility
Although police have not released a full reconstruction, the details they provided point to a fast-moving crash at a busy intersection. Speed, turning movement and the traffic signal setup all appear to have been central to what happened Friday night.
Crashes like this can become especially severe when a vehicle is turning across traffic and another driver is moving quickly through the intersection. In this case, officers said the impact was strong enough to overturn the SUV and push both vehicles into fixed objects nearby.
What police have said so far about the ongoing case
The Plano Police Department said its investigation is continuing and that more charges remain possible. For now, Jaramillo faces a charge of driving while intoxicated while detectives review the circumstances of the crash.
Police have not identified the two people who died, and no additional information about their ages or relationship was included in the department’s initial account. The case remains under investigation as officials continue notifying family members and gathering evidence from the scene.