Driver Arraigned After Critically Injuring Good Samaritan
FORT WORTH — A 26-year-old man who critically injured a Good Samaritan when he plowed into an accident scene in Lake Worth was arraigned Monday on a charge of intoxication assault, police said.

Jose Felix Herrera was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail in the Lake Worth jail. He will remain in custody because immigration officials have determined that he is in the country illegally, police said.

Nirza Moncada, who had stopped to help a motorist change a tire about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, lost her leg after the crash, said Capt. Dave Tatsak.

Moncada, 21, remained Monday at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas in serious condition, hospital officials said. She was listed in critical condition after the accident Sunday.

Lake Worth police said Moncada and a male friend had stopped to help after the driver of a 1997 Dodge Neon struck a guard rail at Northwest Loop 820 and Jacksboro Highway. The Neon blew a tire in the collision.

Moncada was standing between the Neon and the guard rail when the Neon was struck by a 1991 Honda two-door driven by Herrera, police said. Moncada’s leg was pinned between the Neon and the guard rail.

Herrera fled and tried to hide under the Loop 820 bridge. Onlookers chased him and told police where he was hiding.

Lake Worth officers arrested Herrera after they found him talking on a cell phone beneath the bridge.

Herrera exhibited signs that he may have been drunk and they found marijuana in his pocket, officials said.

Herrera was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital after complaining of shoulder pain. He was later released to Lake Worth police.

Intoxication assault is a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison.