CEDAR HILL -- Police are investigating a crash involving a Dallas firefighter that left an 18-year-old and her unborn child dead.
The crash happened at about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday in the southbound lanes of U.S Highway 67 just south of West Belt Line Road.
Police believe off-duty Dallas firefighter, 45-year-old Horace Shaw III, was driving a white Mercedes at a high rate of speed when he crashed into a maroon Mazda SUV heading south.
Both people inside the Mazda were ejected.
The 18-year-old driver of the Mazda, identified as Alyssa Pimentel, died from her injuries. Police say she was several months pregnant and her baby didn't survive. The male passenger in the Mazda, her boyfriend, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
The driver, Shaw, and passenger of the Mercedes were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Police say they believe alcohol and speed were factors in the crash, as they learned Shaw had been drinking at a Dallas bar beforehand.
Shaw has since been arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter. He bonded out early the next day.
The City of Dallas released this statement:
"The City of Dallas learned an off-duty Dallas Firefighter was involved in a collision in Cedar Hill which resulted in the death of a mother and her unborn child. The firefighter involved will be placed on administrative leave pending the results of an internal investigation. This is all the information that is available at this time. For questions regarding the incident, please refer to the Cedar Hill Police Department."
He had been with Dallas Fire-Rescue since October 2005.
Pimental's father Joe said he is "devastated" when he spoke to WFAA. He said his daughter's baby boy was due next month and she was going to name him Josiah.
He said Alyssa had just picked up her boyfriend from work and they were on their way home when the crash took place. Her boyfriend has a broken neck, he said.
Alyssa was a “sweetheart, a kind, caring person who would have done anything for anyone," her father said.
Alyssa leaves behind her mother and younger brother, who aren't taking it well, he added. The family released this statement:
"We are currently shaken and saddened by the tragic events that occurred today. Alyssa was our one and only daughter carrying our grandson with their whole lives ahead of them. We are very disappointed with the fact that an individual who is tasked with saving lives is responsible for taking the lives of our family members.As you can imagine, our grief right now is immeasurable. We are aware that there is an investigation into the accident and we trust that the authorities will be diligent in seeking justice for Alyssa and Baby Josiah. We would appreciate privacy during this process and we ask the public for their prayers for our family as we grieve."
Respectfully,
Joe & Jayne Pimentel
Alyssa previously attended Midlothian High School, but left when she became pregnant, her father said.