The family of a Dallas man has been left devastated after he was struck and killed by an alleged drunken driver in October.
Related
According to Dallas police, Braden Taylor Richardson, 30, was struck by a truck after the driver lost control of the vehicle at about 3:40 a.m. Oct. 11 in the 5200 block of Harry Hines Boulevard, near Parkland Hospital. He was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead; police arrested Rocky Joe Sustaita, 44, in the incident.
He faces a charge of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and was released shortly after the crash on $250,000 bond.
Justin Richardson, Braden Richardson’s older brother, said he and his family were not informed of the crash and death until several days after it had happened and after Sustaita was released on bond.
Crime in The News
“It breaks my heart to think that they’re in the comfort of their own home with their family after taking that away from Braden for no reason,” Justin Richardson said. “He was by all means an innocent bystander in this scenario.”
Braden Richardson pictured with his mother. Richardson was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver on Oct. 11.
Justin Richardson
According to a Dallas police arrest-warrant affidavit, Sustaita was driving his truck northwest on Harry Hines when the truck left the roadway, struck a sign and hit two trees. The affidavit said Richardson was lying down, asleep next to one of the trees that was hit.
Sustaita allegedly told police he had “fainted” after suffering an asthma attack while driving. However, several field tests indicated he was intoxicated, the affidavit said, and he was arrested. It is unclear if he has retained an attorney.
Justin Richardson described his brother as an introverted but fun-loving guy who enjoyed playing music. He played guitar and clarinet, and loved spending time with family.
Justin Richardson said his brother had spent his last day with a family friend, and needed to go to the hospital to pick up a prescription. He said his brother’s death has left their family devastated as they plan Braden’s memorial and cremation.
“He was someone’s brother, someone’s son, someone’s friend,” he said. “He didn’t deserve to die.”