US drunk driving killer found in Spain after 3 years on run
Christopher Ponce was arrested in Almeria with a fake Mexican passport after three years on the run for a drunk driving death in Florida.
The parents of 20-year-old William Angel had never given up their battle to bring the man responsible for their son’s death on June 19th, 2012 to justice.
They had spent hours trawling social media in the hope of finding a trace of Ponce, who went on the run after cutting of his ankle-monitoring bracelet while on bail awaiting trail for DUI manslaughter.
But in the end it was a casual encounter at Almeria bus station that ended the three year manhunt.
A patrol unit became suspicious after Ponce attempted to sidle away towards the toilets as they entered the bus station on Monday evening. On requesting his ID card, he presented a travel card in one name and a fake Mexican passport in another, so officers took him down the station for formal identification.
Finger prints revealed he was a fugitive on Interpol’s wanted list.
Ponce, who had a previous DUI arrest and whose driving license had been suspended, is accused of driving drunk in the wrong direction on a highway when he slamming head-on into another car.
The crash killed 20-year-old William Angel and seriously injured two of his friends.
A toxicology report revealed that Ponce's blood-alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit and he was placed on house arrest with an ankle monitor pending trial until he went on the run in May 2013.
He is now facing extradition to the United States.
The parents of his victim announced news of Ponce’s arrest on the FindChrisPonce.com website calling it a “great day” adding that they also want those that helped him escape to face charges.
They also posted the announcement on the Find Chris Ponce facebook page.
Sgt Steve Gaskins, an officer from Tampa police force involved in the case tweeted a shot of the Interpol most wanted notice.
Finally... pic.twitter.com/g5NJcmtfXq
— Sgt. Steve Gaskins (@SteveG717) August 10, 2016
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The parents of 20-year-old William Angel had never given up their battle to bring the man responsible for their son’s death on June 19th, 2012 to justice.
They had spent hours trawling social media in the hope of finding a trace of Ponce, who went on the run after cutting of his ankle-monitoring bracelet while on bail awaiting trail for DUI manslaughter.
But in the end it was a casual encounter at Almeria bus station that ended the three year manhunt.
A patrol unit became suspicious after Ponce attempted to sidle away towards the toilets as they entered the bus station on Monday evening. On requesting his ID card, he presented a travel card in one name and a fake Mexican passport in another, so officers took him down the station for formal identification.
Finger prints revealed he was a fugitive on Interpol’s wanted list.
Ponce, who had a previous DUI arrest and whose driving license had been suspended, is accused of driving drunk in the wrong direction on a highway when he slamming head-on into another car.
The crash killed 20-year-old William Angel and seriously injured two of his friends.
A toxicology report revealed that Ponce's blood-alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit and he was placed on house arrest with an ankle monitor pending trial until he went on the run in May 2013.
He is now facing extradition to the United States.
The parents of his victim announced news of Ponce’s arrest on the FindChrisPonce.com website calling it a “great day” adding that they also want those that helped him escape to face charges.
They also posted the announcement on the Find Chris Ponce facebook page.
Sgt Steve Gaskins, an officer from Tampa police force involved in the case tweeted a shot of the Interpol most wanted notice.
Finally... pic.twitter.com/g5NJcmtfXq
— Sgt. Steve Gaskins (@SteveG717) August 10, 2016
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