SAN ANTONIO -- A drug raid which lead to a deadly crash netted 2,770 pounds of marijuana, with a street value worth of to $10 million, according to a source.
San Antonio Police and a federal criminal complaint are revealing more information about the narcotics investigation Wednesday afternoon, which lead to one man fleeing from police and causing a crash that killed a three-year-old boy, Walter Maspero.
Police had been watching the property on Morin Street off 1604 for about a month before moving in Wednesday and investigators believed a significant drug distribution operation was occurring there, according to the documents.
Investigators found the drugs had been smuggled into the property using a tractor trailer and the packages were covered with a large sand pile.
Police spotted Michael Gomez leaving the property in a Montero, but no drugs were found inside the car, the document states. Another defendant said he was going to buy a battery for the trailer.
Brock Lassiter was stopped while driving a van loaded with 667 pounds of marijuana and that van was rented to Joseph Whitley, who was following in another car, according to the criminal complaint.
Police said the driver of a black Suburban, David Rodriguez, refused to stop and lead an officer in a marked patrol car on a chase. Chief William McManus did not say how long the officer pursued Rodriguez or at what speed. He said the policewoman actually backed off and called for Eagle, the police helicopter, because she had lost sight of his SUV.
Chief McManus said Rodriguez then spun around and drove straight at the patrol car. She was able to get out of the way, but he collided with a Volvo station wagon, with two adults and four children inside.
Police said three-year-old Walter Maspero died at University Hospital. 30-year-old Jimmy Leyba is in stable condition, as is 30-year-old Regina Acosta. Three-month old Wynnsday Maspero and four-year-old Wyitt Maspero are in stable condition. One-year-old Wesley Maspero is in critical condition.
Rodriguez is charged with capital murder for the death of Walter Maspero. A criminal complaint says Rodriguez had 419 pounds of marijuana in his SUV at the time of the crash.
Chief McManus said the policewoman was following protocol during the chase. He said he visited with the victims at the hospital and said the department is offering its support to the family.
News 4 WOAI has learned Rodriguez was on probation for possession of marijuana 5-50 pounds, but his probation ended in May.
