News reports state that the man was killed on Saturday when a car hit him and sent him flying off of a Grand Parkway exit ramp.
September 8, 2018 – 2:21 pm: Julio Cortijo was struck and killed when an SUV knocked him off of the shoulder of an exit ramp and onto the road below.
The accident took place on the exit ramp onto Grand Parkway south at I-10 West.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Cortijo was standing on the shoulder of the ramp beside his broken down Chevrolet Sonic when a gray Toyota Highlander crashed into his car. The impact pushed the Sonic forward, which threw Cortijo off of the exit ramp.
After Cortijo fell over 100 feet onto the road below, a driver on the service road ran him over. Harris County Emergency Services arrived soon after and pronounced Cortijo dead at the scene.
The Highlander’s driver was identified as Rhonda Ciasccio. Investigators say that she showed no signs of intoxication after the accident. No charges have been filed yet, and there is no clear indication whether or not they will be.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division, the accident remains under investigation at this time.