Groves man arrested for intoxication manslaughter after allegedly killing motorcycle rider

Published 10:30 am Thursday, November 16, 2017

A Groves man is charged with intoxication manslaughter in Wednesday night’s death of a motorcycle rider.

Initial reports show that a 2015 Harley Davidson was traveling south on Twin City Highway and a  2013 Chevrolet pickup truck that was approaching the road from a private driveway near Seventh Avenue, reportedly failed to yield right-of-way and pulled out striking the motorcycle, according to a press release from the Texas Department of Public Safety. DPS responded to the crash around 10:40 p.m. Nov. 15.

The driver of the motorcycle, Mario Ruben Colunga, 39, of Groves, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Justice of the Peace Tom Gilliam III.  Colunga was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

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 The passenger of the motorcycle, Emily White, 34, of Houston, was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont with serious injuries.  White was not wearing a helmet.

 The driver of the Chevrolet pickup truck, Richard Eric Bean, 46, of Groves, was treated for minor injuries at the scene and medically cleared.  The passenger, Alicia Kruger, 39, of Port Neches, was also treated for minor injuries and released at the scene.

 Troopers allege that Bean was driving while intoxicated.  Bean was placed under arrest for intoxication manslaughter and transported to the Jefferson County jail without incident.  Intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony.

 All information is preliminary and there are no further details to be released.