Wrongfully Accused: Attorney Details Fallout for Man Charged in Horizon City Teen’s Death
After charges were dismissed against him in April, the attorney for an el Paso man accused in the death of 17-year-old Miguel Angel Romero is speaking out about the devastating consequences his client faced during the legal proceedings. Romero, a student at Horizon High School, was struck and killed while using a crosswalk on Darrington Road in Horizon City.
The man, whose name has not been widely released, was initially arrested hours after the crash based on witness accounts describing a red truck fleeing the scene. Though,El Paso District Attorney James Montoya announced the dismissal of all charges,citing a lack of evidence. Forensic analysis revealed a blood alcohol level of zero for the man, eliminating the basis for charges of intoxication manslaughter, DWI, or felony-murder.
“Even though Mr. Solis was initially arrested on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter, forensic analysis of his blood revealed no alcohol in his system. In this very way, there was no factual basis to continue prosecuting him for DWI, intoxication manslaughter, or felony-murder,” Montoya stated.
Montoya explained that the initial arrest stemmed from a “perfect storm” of circumstances that created probable cause, but a deeper investigation revealed inconsistencies. Crucially, evidence emerged showing discrepancies between the suspect vehicle and the man’s truck. Montoya presented images of the vehicle fleeing the scene, noting it had a white racing stripe and lacked a decal above the rear tire present on the man’s brighter red truck.
The dismissal has left Romero’s family deeply frustrated and seeking answers. At a press conference, Romero’s mother expressed confusion over shifting narratives from authorities, stating, “First, they told us one thing, then they changed prosecutors, and they told us another, and now they tell us yet another thing.We don’t know who to listen to…as really this shouldn’t end like this, a person died.”
Meanwhile, the man’s attorney, Wyatt, detailed the immense personal cost his client endured while facing the accusations. He lost his job, home, family, and reputation, and spent 11 months in custody. He also incurred notable legal and bail bond fees, and ultimately went through a divorce.”There’s some people that no matter what are not gonna beleive that the wrong guy was arrested,” Wyatt said. He is now reviewing potential legal avenues to address the damages his client has suffered.
The investigation into Romero’s death remains open as authorities continue to search for the actual vehicle and driver involved in the hit-and-run.