A young valet driver who hit and killed three people while running from police could spend the next decade in prison.

Ahmedal Modawi pled guilty to murdering Fnan Meashos, Eric Orduna, and Nick Rodriguez back in 2021. The victims also worked as valet drivers outside the popular bar, Prospect Park the night they were killed.

Harris County prosecutors wanted Modawi to spend the next 35 years in prison, but Judge Chris Morton ultimately decided on a 10-year sentence on Friday in court. When that decision came down, our partners at The Houston Chronicle reported there was a gasp in the courtroom.

Some of the victim’s relatives said it was time to forgive while, others said they couldn’t yet.

“We want justice for them. For all three. For all three. This should not have happened.”

Amid their mourning back in the fall of 2021, relatives of the victims told Eyewitness News they wanted accountability for the actions that led to a horrific scene outside of Prospect Park in west Houston.

Three men valeting cars were walking down Fairdale when Ahmedal Modawi crashed into them during a chase with Houston police. They were trying to pull the 17-year-old valet over for doing donuts in someone else’s car.

In court documents considered during sentencing, Modawi’s defense attorney wrote, “For the complainants’ families, lengthy incarceration won’t give them answers to the questions of why, nor will it give them solace knowing a dangerous, career criminal is locked away. For society, likewise, there is no punitive goal achieved by lengthy incarceration. Ahmed is not a violent man with an extensive criminal history. Society is not made more secure with an excessive prison sentence.”

The attorney for Fnan Measho and Eric Orduna provided a statement that says in part, “We appreciate the DA’s office in prosecuting this individual, but there was more than one party responsible for their deaths. We want everyone held accountable.”

There is a pending civil case against other entities, including Prospect Park and Premium Parking Service. Modawi was too young to legally work as a valet in Houston when the crash happened.

“Nobody protected Eric, and I’m very upset with that. We don’t deserve this. Eric didn’t deserve this at all,” a relative said.

Since then, there have been two years of pain for them, leading to a 10-year punishment and the possibility of more accountability they’ve asked for.

Source: abc13.com

For many, the Fourth of July is a fun day full of festivities to show patriotic pride for the United States. However, it can be a rather hectic day for local law enforcement and fire protection personnel, responding to illegal fireworks reports and people firing guns into the air.

Shooting fireworks off in Houston and most other cities nearby is not legal. But, in most unincorporated areas across local counties, residents may be allowed to do so, said Justin Jurek, Fort Bend County Fire Marshal.

“We encourage everyone who wants to pop their fireworks to check the area where they are; if you’re in a neighborhood outside of city limits, your homeowners association may have rules and regulations to say you can’t use them,” he said.

In the areas where they are legal, state laws still require people firing them to be away from nearby churches, daycares and schools.

Jurek said fireworks should be lit on a flat surface, not close to any homes, buildings, vehicles, dry vegetation or flammable materials and a water source – like a hose or bucket – should always be nearby.

All used fireworks should be soaked for around eight to 12 hours before being placed in a garbage container. This reduces the risk of a fire starting from one that might still be smoldering.

“We saw an increase in vehicle fires last year during New Year’s because people put recently discarded fireworks in the back of their trucks,” Jurek said.

Tracee Evans, public information officer with the Spring Fire Department, said firefighters have responded to garage fires because people were improperly throwing fireworks in their trash cans.

“We’ve had many fires because people are disposing of fireworks wrong, or they are shooting them down the street where they get caught on neighbors’ roofs, fences, bushes or trees,” she said. “If a firework strikes something that can light on fire, chances are it will do that.”

Brandi Dumas, communications manager at the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, said people who are not cautious risk burning their fingers, hands and faces.

She said one thing a person should remember when firing fireworks is to never look or lean over one that they might think is a dud, as this can lead to it blowing up in their face.

Parents should supervise their children, and be aware if certain kinds of fireworks are given to their kids.

“We should be very cautious about sparklers. They burn six times hotter than boiling water,” Dumas said. “That is something we want everyone to consider.”

Those firing fireworks should not be drinking, as they may have delayed reaction times during an emergency because they’re under the influence, Evans said.

Deputy Thomas Gilliland, public information officer at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, said rideshares such as Uber and Lyft are available and suggested designating a driver ahead of going out to avoid drunk driving.

Gilliland said the Fourth of July and Memorial Day Weekend are two weekends with the highest number of people picked up for drinking while intoxicated.

Law enforcement officers are also patrolling to look out for “celebratory gunfire” or people shooting up mindlessly into the air, “It is the deadliest type of thing that you can do because that projectile has to come down somewhere. It can go into someone’s home or strike and kill them,” he said.

The public should call 911 in emergencies, such as hearing this gunfire. For non-emergency firework complaints or reports, contact Harris County law enforcement through the non-emergency number: 713-221-6000.

Public firework displays handled by licensed technicians or pyrotechnics and shows that incorporate “digital fireworks” or drone displays are always safe alternatives to celebrate:

Houston

Freedom Over Texas

General Admission $10

Children 5 & under free w/ paid adult

When: Tuesday, July 4, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Where: Eleanor Tinsley Park

18-3600 Allen Pkwy, Houston TX 77019

Fort Bend

Missouri City Independence Festival

Free Entry for all

When: Tuesday, July 4, 4 p.m. – 9: 15 p.m.

Where: Houston Community College-Southwest College

1600 Texas Parkway, Missouri City 77489

The Woodlands

South County Fourth of July Parade

When: Tuesday, July 4, starting at 9 a.m.

Where: Town Green Park

2099 Lake Robbins Dr,

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Sugarland

Red, White and Boom

Free entry for all

When: Tuesday, July 4, doors at 4 p.m., event from 5 p.m.- 9p.m.

Where: The Crown Festival Park

A Houston man was sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to felony murder for killing his 6-year-old stepdaughter in a 2021 drunken-driving crash, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

“There is absolutely no excuse for driving drunk, especially with children in the car,” Ogg said. “An innocent little girl died because of the criminal conduct of this man and it was felony murder, plain and simple.”

Paul Rodriguez, 32, pleaded guilty to felony murder in the death of Zyra Longoria, who was killed in a crash on the Southwest Freeway near Fountain View in west Houston about 4 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2021. Felony murder means he caused the death of someone while committing another felony, in this case Driving While Intoxicated with a Child.

Rodriguez was intoxicated as he drove a black Honda Accord in and out of freeway traffic with three children: Zyra, the 6-year-old who was killed; a 4-year-old; and a 2-year-old. Rodriguez collided with an 18-wheeler, then hit a red Mercedes and then a box truck, according to investigators with the Houston Police Department.

Zyra flew from the Honda and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. She died the next day.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty and agreed to a sentencing hearing in front of a judge. State District Judge Andrea Beall heard evidence during an hours-long hearing on Wednesday and sentenced Rodriguez to 22 years.

Assistant District Attorney Erandy Marquez, who is assigned to the DA’s Vehicular Crimes Division, prosecuted the case. She said Rodriguez had a criminal record including possession of prescription drugs like muscle relaxers and marijuana. On the day of the incident, he had taken both.

“This could have been avoided, but it happened because he decided to consume a cocktail of drugs and then get behind the wheel with three little kids,” Marquez said. “All of his decisions – and this was his repeated pattern of behavior – led to him killing someone.”

She noted that intoxicated-driving crashes can injure or kill drivers, other people on the road and the people in the intoxicated person’s car.

Rodriguez has to serve at least half of the sentence before he is eligible for parole, and he cannot appeal the conviction.