Father charged with murder after 'shooting dead' drunk driver who crashed into his car, killing his two young sons

Brothers believed to have been pushing a broken down vehicle at the time of the incident

David Jr., 12, was killed instantly when Jose Banda ploughed his car in the Barajas’ broken down vehicle. Younger brother Caleb, 11, is said to have died at hospital later.

A 31-year-old man has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot a drunk driver dead moments after the man crashed into his vehicle and killed his two young sons.

The incident took place near Houston in Texas, just yards from the family home of David Barajas - the father charged with murder.

His eldest son, David Jr., 12, was killed instantly when Jose Banda ploughed his car in the Barajas’ broken down vehicle. Younger brother Caleb, 11, is said to have died at hospital later.

The Barajas’ car had reportedly run out of fuel, and Mr Barajas and his two sons are believed to have been pushing the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Investigators concluded that Jose Banda, the 20-year-old driver who allegedly caused the accident, died from a single gunshot wound to the head minutes after the impact and ruled his death as homicide.

It is believed Banda had been drinking prior to the accident, although blood tests have not yet come back.

No weapon has been found, but witnesses have reported hearing a gunshot in the minutes immediately after the crash.

Dominick Sanders of Brazoria County sheriff’s office added that other witnesses told authorities that they had seen Barajas walk to his house after the crash, returning a few minutes later and approaching Banda’s vehicle.

Investigators believe Banda was shot dead at or around this time.

Barajas turned himself in over the weekend after being indicted for murder last Friday. He is currently being held at Brazoria County Jail on a $450,000 bond.