Honduran charged with manslaughter: Six-year-old killed in alleged traffic accident while under the influence of alcohol

SUMMERDALE, Alabama (WALA) – A Honduran immigrant now faces manslaughter charges after he crashed his car while drunk early Monday morning, July 8, 2024, according to police. A six-year-old child who was riding with him has since died from his injuries.

Zevlin Pavon-Gomez appeared in court Wednesday with the aid of an interpreter for his bail hearing. Zelvin Pavon-Gomez, 25, appeared before District Judge Bill Scully for the second time this week. His appearance Wednesday was to set bail on an upgraded charge from assault to manslaughter. Baldwin County prosecutors said a serious crash Monday just after 3 a.m. on County Road 28 near George Younce Road was the result of Gomez driving while intoxicated. A six-year-old girl was ejected from the vehicle and later died.

“He lost control of the vehicle, struck a fence and rolled over. Before the rollover, the child was ejected and the vehicle landed on the child,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Teresa Heinz.

Investigators said the 6-year-old was not wearing a car seat. She was flown to the hospital and Gomez was initially charged with assault. The child died on Tuesday, so the charge has now been upgraded to manslaughter. Heinz said in court that Gomez admitted to being drunk and tipsy at the time of the accident.

“He admitted to being at a party where alcohol was being consumed. He admitted to being ‘drunk’ so to speak and to being unconscious and not being able to remember the actual events of the actual accident,” Heinz said.

Prosecutors said the victim was not Zevlin Gomez’s child, but described her as someone who viewed Gomez as a father figure. It is not known where they were headed at the time of the accident. Heinze said it has been difficult to investigate Gomez’s criminal past so far, but said he applied for asylum in Honduras in 2019 but was denied.

The state asked for $200,000 bail, and Judge Bill Scully agreed. If he pays that bail, he will have to wear a GPS ankle monitor and a breathalyzer, among other things.

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