HPD takes driving while intoxicated very seriously, as is reflected in the increased DWI arrests made last year. We have emphasized to the entire department the importance of practicing what we preach about DWI. More importantly, we have expanded our psychological services, peer support services, and our chaplain program to better serve the mental and emotional health of our workforce.”

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo

The off-duty Houston Police Officer Gizelle Solorio ,who was killed in a wrong-way crash near Sealy on I-10 Dec. 19, 2019, was found to have a blood-alcohol level double the legal limit at the time of the crash according to the toxicology report.

"The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has completed its investigation into the Dec. 19, 2019, fatal crash that led to the death of Gizelle Solorio, 32, of Katy,” DPS’ May 18 release states. “DPS Troopers concluded, based upon toxicology reports, that Solorio was intoxicated at the time of the collision. Investigators determined this was also a contributing factor in this crash."

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo also released a statement on May 18 saying how much promise Solorio had shown, being voted president of her training academy class.

"While no single decision defines a person, all of our decisions do have consequences,” Acevedo said. “HPD takes driving while intoxicated very seriously, as is reflected in the increased DWI arrests made last year. We have emphasized to the entire department the importance of practicing what we preach about DWI. More importantly, we have expanded our psychological services, peer support services, and our chaplain program to better serve the mental and emotional health of our workforce."

Initial reports from DPS indicated that at approximately 6:25 a.m. on Dec. 19, a 2018 Kenworth truck tractor towing a trailer was traveling westbound, east of Mlcak Road. An eastbound 2013 Toyota Tacoma was traveling the wrong way in the westbound lane of traffic when it struck the front center of the truck.

Solorio was identified as the driver of the Toyota and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash by Austin County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Judge Bernice Burger.

Guy Pearson, 65, of La Feria, was identified as the driver of the Kenworth. Pearson was not injured though his big rig was seriously damaged.