A Texas woman is facing murder charges after allegedly running over her husband with an SUV during a late-night argument in Pasadena, according to police. Authorities said officers were called to the scene around 3:30 a.m. on October 19 after a witness reported seeing a man struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe on a sidewalk.
In a news release, the Pasadena Police Department confirmed that the victim, 42-year-old Leonardo Mendoza, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Investigators determined that Mendoza had been involved in a heated verbal argument with his wife, Alina Gonzalez-Morelos, over an unspecified text message shortly before the incident.
After the confrontation, Mendoza left their home and began walking along the sidewalk. According to court documents, Gonzalez-Morelos followed him in her vehicle. She told police that she “accelerated” her Tahoe onto the curb, hitting two poles before striking her husband. Police said the force of the impact left Mendoza with fatal injuries.
Following the crash, Gonzalez-Morelos was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder. She reportedly admitted to officers that she lost control of her emotions during the argument and “snapped” before driving toward her husband, as per the Sacramento Bee.
Witnesses told investigators they saw the SUV veer off the road and collide with Mendoza, describing the incident as deliberate. Detectives also found damage to nearby poles and evidence consistent with the vehicle jumping the curb before impact.
Pasadena police said the case remains under investigation as authorities continue to review evidence and gather witness statements. Gonzalez-Morelos is being held in custody pending her next court appearance.
Court records show that the suspect did not have a significant criminal history before the incident. Police have not released additional details about what led to the argument or the content of the text message that reportedly triggered the altercation.
Neighbors told local media the couple had lived in the area for several years and were known to occasionally argue but never showed signs of serious domestic trouble. “It’s shocking,” one resident told reporters. “You never think something like this could happen so close to home.”
Pasadena, located about 15 miles southeast of downtown Houston, has seen several high-profile domestic violence cases in recent years. Police say the tragedy serves as a reminder of how quickly heated disputes can escalate into deadly situations.