USPS worker killed in crash, Texas sheriff says suspect was intoxicated and speeding

HOUSTON -- A 48-year-old man was charged with intoxication manslaughter following a Texas crash that killed a USPS worker Saturday afternoon, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

The crash happened in the 11700-block of Antoine Drive in Houston, the sheriff said.

The sheriff said the crash involved two vehicles, one being a postal truck and the other being a pickup.

"We have witnesses that did observe the vehicle going at a significant high rate of speed. It was a pretty violent crash that occurred," HCSO Sgt. Villacorta said.

According to officials, the driver of the pickup truck was driving southbound on Antoine Drive as he was fleeing the scene of a separate minor crash up the road.

"As he was fleeing, he was going at a high rate of speed, lost control, and struck the rear of the postal truck that was delivering mail at the residences here on the southbound side of the Antoine Drive," Sgt. Villacorta said.

The sheriff's office said the driver of the postal vehicle, 58-year-old Steven Marks, was taken to a hospital where he died.

Marks was both well-known and widely loved by neighbors.

"I'm going to miss giving him the Long Island tea that he liked to get for Christmas. I'm going to really miss handing that to him," one neighbor said.

Another neighbor told ABC Houston affiliate KTRK that they used to play pool together as well.

"He's going to always be in our hearts. He's somebody that we cared for," the neighbor said.

The United States Postal Service sent out this statement, giving its condolences to the worker of 28 years:

The Postal Service is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life yesterday in a two-vehicle accident in Houston, TX, involving our Postal family member with 28 years of service. Our thoughts are with their family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. We will be offering counseling services to our employees at the Cornerstone Post Office as the investigation into the incident continues.

Meanwhile, the driver of the pickup, identified as 48-year-old Jose Humberto Romero, was found to have been intoxicated, Gonzalez said, and added that Romero was booked into the Harris County jail.

Romero's bond was set at $250,000 and is set to appear in court on Monday, Oct. 20.

"This charge would previously (be) a second-degree felony, but the 89th Texas Legislature provided an enhancement, now making it a first-degree felony if the defendant has been previously convicted of DWI, which it appears Romero was in 2023," Gonzalez said.

Court records found that Romero was previously arrested for DWI back in 2023. Records show that he spent 3 days in Harris County Jail, and had his license suspended for 90 days.