Honduran man charged with manslaughter in alleged DUI crash death of 6 year-old
SUMMERDALE, Ala. (WALA) - A Honduran immigrant now faces a charge of manslaughter after police said he crashed his car while driving drunk early Monday morning, July 8, 2024. A six-year-old child who was a passenger has since died from her injuries.
Zevlin Pavon-Gomez appeared in court using an interpreter for his bond hearing Wednesday. For the second time this week, 25-year-old Zelvin Pavon-Gomez appeared before District Judge Bill Scully. Wednesday’s appearance was to set bond on an upgraded charge, from assault 1st to manslaughter. Baldwin County prosecutors said a violent crash on County Road 28 near George Younce Road Monday just after 3:00 a.m. was the result of Gomez driving drunk behind the wheel. A six-year-old girl was thrown from the vehicle and later died.
“He lost control of the vehicle, struck a fence and there was a roll-over event. Prior to that roll-over event, the child was ejected, and the vehicle landed on the child,” explained Chef Assistant District Attorney, Teresa Heinz.
Investigators said the six-year-old was not wearing a child restraint. She was flown to the hospital and Gomez was initially charged with assault 1st. The child died Tuesday, elevating the charge to manslaughter. Heinz told the Court Gomez admitted to having been drinking and buzzed at the time of the accident.
“He admitted to being at a party where alcohol was consumed. He admitted to being quote-unquote, “buzzed” and blacking out, not remembering the actual events of the actual crash itself,” Heinz said.
Prosecutors said the victim was not Zevlin Gomez’s child but described her as looking to Gomez as a father figure. It’s unknown where they were heading at the time of the crash. Heinze said it’s been difficult to look into Gomez’s criminal history to this point but said he did apply for asylum from Honduras in 2019 but was denied.
The state requested, and Judge Bill Scully agreed to a $200,000 bond. If he makes that bond, amongst other things, he’ll be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and an alcohol monitor.
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