Former Southern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery has been charged with felony failure to stop and render aid following a crash earlier this month in Houston, according to court documents.
The charge was filed on Monday in connection with a May 14 collision on Memorial Drive near Birdsall Street.
According to court records, the driver of a Nissan Altima told officers he was traveling eastbound on Memorial Drive when another vehicle that had been in the median struck his car.
The driver, identified in reports as Gabriel Fonseca, told police he moved his vehicle to a safe location after the crash, but the other driver left the scene. He reported experiencing ringing in his ears, which documents noted could indicate a serious injury, and estimated damage to his vehicle at about $35,000. He told officers he wanted to pursue charges.
Fonseca later described the collision in an interview with KTRK.
“Last second, didn’t have time to swerve, so I just laid down my horn and smacked me right on the driver’s side,” he said. “After that, I just heard a really loud ringing in my ear, and there was dust everywhere.”
“I remember pulling into the closest parking lot,” he added. “Somehow, I called 911. I couldn’t open the door, so I crawled out.”
According to charging documents, a witness told officers he saw a woman driving a heavily damaged vehicle away from the crash scene before parking it several blocks away. The witness described the driver as a “white, blonde female” in her 30s or 40s and said the vehicle had “substantial front end damage” and was “leaking fluids,” People reported.
Police later located a damaged vehicle in the driveway of a home. Court documents state the license plate was registered to Lowery.
According to the documents, Lowery’s husband came outside and identified himself as an attorney. He told officers his wife had been involved in a crash and said he would provide the necessary information, but would not allow her to give a statement.
Surveillance video reportedly showed the vehicle remaining at the scene for about two and a half minutes before driving away.
“She didn’t even check to see if I was dead,” Fonseca told KTRK. “It’s a selfish and cowardly thing to do, to hit someone and run away without even being concerned.”
Lowery was arrested on May 18 and later posted bond, according to reports.
Lowery previously served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Southern District of Texas. She was appointed U.S. attorney by the Department of Justice in 2022 after serving in acting and interim roles beginning in February 2021.
She remained in the position until December 2022, when her successor was sworn in.
