Driver Faces Felony Charges in DWI/Accident, LIVINGSTON, September 25, 2010 - At around 8 pm on September 25, 2010, Renee Oatis, 31 of Columbia, Missouri, was west-bound with 3 child passengers in a black 2001 Ford Ranger on US-190 West near Buster McNutty's when a gray 2007 Chrysler 300 driven by Jose Delacruz Espinoza, 30, of Cleveland, was exiting the parking lot of Buster McNutty's and pulled directly in front of Oatis. Oatis' small truck clipped the back of Espinoza's vehicle causing his vehicle to spin 360 degrees and come to rest in the grassy median. According to Espinoza (an employee of Buster McNutty's), he had gotten off work and went home and started drinking. Espinoza stated that he forgot his cell phone at work so went back to Buster McNutty's and brought his two nieces with him (ages 8 and 10). Americare Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene along with Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department and DPS Trooper David Flowers. Flowers administered a field sobriety test on Espinoza and placed him under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Espinoza's 10 year old niece was taken to Livingston Memorial Hospital by ambulance with possible head injuries. Renee Oatis and her three child passengers were all 4 taken to Livingston Memorial by Ambulance. Traffic was not blocked during investigation and cleanup. Both parties had insurance. Jose Delacruz Espinoza was cited for driving with an invalid license, and faces felony charges for intoxication assault and driving while intoxicated with child passengers under the age of 15. A rollback wrecker from LakeView Wrecker recovered Oatis' vehicle and it will be stored in Livingston while Espinoza's vehicle was recovered by Harwood Wrecker Service and it will be stored at Bounds Autoplex in Livingston. The scene was cleared by 9:15 pm.
Special thank you: Assignment Editor Stash Anderson and Assitant Editor Willie A. Openshaw
Jose Delacruz Espinoza of Cleveland speaks with DPS Trooper David Flowers. Sergeant Christian Schanmier looks on.
Espinoza pulled out of the parking lot of Buster McNutty's directly in front of this west-bound Ford Ranger.
The rear of Espinoz's vehicle was clipped by the small truck.
Espinoza's vehicle came to rest in the center median.
Airbags in Renee Oatis' vehicle deployed.
Trooper David Flowers with the Texas Highway Patrol places Espionoza under arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Trooper Flowers escorts Espinoza to a patrol car.
Oatis' 2001 Ford Ranger was towed by LakeView Wrecker Service.
Espinoza's 2007 Chrysler 300 was towed by Harwood Wrecker Service and will be stored at Bounds Autoplex in Livingston.
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