Charges were dismissed against a man accused of hitting and killing a 23-year-old Texas Southern University student while out on bond earlier this year.
Jonathan Vera, 21, was out on bond for capital murder at the time of the deadly rollover crash. He was initially charged with manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid, but the state dismissed the charges on Monday after a judge found no probable cause.
“No probable cause exists at this time to believe the defendant committed the offense,” the motion to dismiss records stated.
Houston police said that on Jan. 25, 2022, Vera ran a red light on the North Freeway feeder road at Greens Road and collided with 23-year-old Summer Chester.
The impact was so hard, Chester’s car ended up on a sidewalk and on its side. Vera and his passengers ran off, witnesses told police. Chester died at the scene.
Later that night, Vera was under arrest and charged.
According to court records, Vera was out of jail on bond for capital murder related to a violent home invasion in the Greenspoint area in 2017. In the incident, a 55-year-old homeowner was shot and killed.
In June 2018, Vera was arrested and charged with capital murder for the home invasion. He was certified as an adult. His bond was listed at $250,000, and he would remain in jail until Judge Natalia Cornelio of the 351st District Court lowered it to $50,000 in March 2021. While Vera was in jail, he was charged with harassment of a public servant.
Judge Cornelio revoked Vera’s bond, and he remained in jail after he was charged in the deadly crash.
Court documents revealed that Vera was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon in a correctional facility in July of this year.