EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — An El Paso man is accused of driving while intoxicated and driving the wrong way on Loop 375 before a crash that killed another driver early Friday, according to a complaint affidavit.
Julian Lujan is charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle in connection with the crash, according to the affidavit. Investigators allege Lujan was driving a black 2026 GMC Sierra southbound in the northbound lanes of Loop 375 North shortly before the collision.
Police received a call at about 4:48 a.m. reporting a black four-door GMC pickup driving the wrong way on Loop 375 North.
Officers were dispatched around 4:51 a.m. to I-10 East Exit 34A after a two-vehicle collision was reported.
Mugshot of Julian Lujan (Credit: El Paso Police Department)
According to the affidavit, investigators determined the GMC entered an on-ramp connecting I-10 East to Loop 375 North while driving against traffic. The pickup then collided head-on with a 2007 Toyota Yaris that was entering Loop 375 North from I-10 East.
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The driver of the Toyota, identified in the affidavit as Alberto Gonzalez Juarez, was taken to the hospital, where he died.
A witness approached the GMC, which had overturned, and helped Lujan get out of the vehicle, the affidavit states. The witness told investigators Lujan repeatedly said he had “messed up” and should have “known better because he was a first responder.”
Officers who contacted Lujan reported observing signs they associated with intoxication, including the smell of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and poor balance. According to the affidavit, Lujan initially declined to perform standardized field sobriety tests, according to the arrest affidavit.
Alberto Gonzalez Juarez (credit: family members)
A DWI Task Force officer later spoke with Lujan and reported additional observations, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and an odor of alcohol, the document stated.
The affidavit states Lujan initially refused to provide breath or blood samples but later agreed to a breath test after the process was explained to him.
The document stated two breath samples produced readings of 0.138 and 0.157 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
The affidavit states Lujan was taken to a hospital for medical clearance before being transported to El Paso Police Department headquarters. During a subsequent interview, investigators said Lujan admitted drinking two medium-sized Carta Blanca beers at a bar and acknowledged that he was driving the GMC at the time of the collision.
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