A 63-year-old Magnolia woman was charged in the death of a Baytown woman, after a fiery crash in Tomball on Sept. 17. The crash killed 33-year-old Erika Johnson after her vehicle was allegedly pushed into a gas main by a vehicle driven by Dorothy Daigle. Johnson was burned to death after the gas main ignited.

As the Tribune recently reported, Daigle was involved in a three-car accident on Tomball Parkway. The Harris County District Attorney’s office has charged her with intoxicated manslaughter after an investigation by the Tomball Police Department.

“An investigation revealed that three vehicles were involved in the crash and that two (Johnson’s and Daigle’s) had come to rest against a large shopping center sign after rupturing a gas main,” an affidavit filed with the Harris County District Clerk stated. “(Daigle’s vehicle) pinned (Johnson) against the sign, such that when the gas main was ignited, Johnson was burned to death.”

The affidavit claims that Daigle consented to a blood-draw at the scene, as multiple witnesses said she was driving erratically just before the accident occurred. Daigle’s blood was tested by the Institute of Forensic Sciences, which revealed a blood alcohol level of .13, twenty-five percent higher than the legal limit.

“Multiple witnesses stated that (Daigle) drove by them at an excessive rate of speed and was accelerating when she side swiped a third vehicle, before veering into (Johnson’s) lane,” the affidavit reads. “Physical evidence at the scene revealed no skid marks or indication of braking (sic) before impact, making the defendant the ‘at fault’ driver.”

Daigle’s attorney, Mark Hinton said the incident was a tradgedy and that his client would be reaching out to Johnson’s family.

“On behalf of the Daigle family, I would like to say that they are so very sorry about this tragic incident and are in the process of sending their condolences to surviving members of the victim’s family,” Hinton said.

Johnson’s family declined to comment when contacted, saying their lawyer would speak on their behalf. Their lawyer had not contacted the Tribune as of press time.

In an earlier interview, Johnson’s cousin, Melinda Banamar, questioned the location of the city’s gas mains.

“We need to figure out if the gas meters were even supposed to be there,” Banamar said. “It’s on such a busy highway and coming into Houston you don’t see any, but they are all over Tomball.”

Daigle is free on $30,000 bond. Judge Marc Brown has ordered her not to drive while free on bond.

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