Affidavit: Man charged with intoxicated manslaughter says people were chasing him before traffic collision

A man facing an intoxicated manslaughter charge in the death of a 22-year-old woman said the collision happened because he was trying to get away from people who were trying to kill him, according to the police affidavit.

El Paso Police say Brian Anthony Gamero, 27, crashed into a car driven by Crystal Saldaa at about 2:23 a.m. Saturday near Zaragoza and Vista Del Sol.

Her car was then pushed into oncoming traffic, was hit by a pickup truck and she died.

“I just lost an angel,” Saldaa’s father, Freddy Saldaa, told ABC-7 as he fought back tears. “I don’t have words to describe right now because I’m so devastated.”

According to the affidavit, Gamero told police he was at Whataburger and two people were trying to “jump/kill” him and he was trying to get away from them.

The police officer says in the affidavit that he smelled alcohol on Gamero and that Gamero also had blood-shot eyes and spoke with slurred, mumbled speech. Police asked Gamero if he had been drinking and he said he had one drink, according to the affidavit.

Police then asked if he knew how fast he was going.

“Like 30-40 miles,” Gamero told the officer, according to the affidavit. The officer then told Gamero the speed limit is 50 mph on that stretch of road.

“Maybe faster to get rid of them,” Gamero told the officer, according to the affidavit.

Other charges are pending against Gamero, according to police.

As police continue their investigation, Saldaa’s family grieves.

“I just wish I would’ve been there for here… now I just… I can say good-bye (to her) in a different way,” her father said.

Saldaa’s family has opened an account at GECU to help pay for her funeral services. It is #620505.