Texas Woman Accused of Killing Husband by Running Him Over Outside Pizza Hut After Text Message Fight

PASADENA, TEXAS — A Texas woman is facing a first-degree murder charge after allegedly running over her husband outside a Pizza Hut following a heated text message argument that turned deadly, police said.

37-year-old Alina Gonzalez-Morelos was arrested and charged with murder in the death of 42-year-old Leonardo Mendoza, according to a Pasadena Police Department press release. The killing happened early Sunday morning near Red Bluff Road and Deepwater Avenue, just southeast of Houston.

Text Message Argument Turns Deadly Outside Pizza Hut

Investigators say the couple began arguing at their Pasadena home before Mendoza walked out on foot to get some space. Moments later, Gonzalez-Morelos allegedly followed him in her black Chevrolet Tahoe.

Police said she spotted her husband walking along the sidewalk near a Pizza Hut and “accelerated onto the sidewalk,” crashing through two poles before running him over.

“She admitted to accelerating her vehicle toward her husband and striking him,” Pasadena police said in a statement.

Witnesses called 911 around 3:30 a.m., reporting that a pedestrian had been hit and the driver had fled the scene.

When first responders arrived, they found Mendoza critically injured on the sidewalk. He was rushed to HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast, but later died from his injuries, police confirmed.

‘Fail to Stop and Render Aid’ Call Leads to Murder Investigation

Initially, officers responded to what was described as a “fail to stop and render aid” (FSRA) incident. However, after a thorough investigation, detectives determined the crash was intentional.

The couple’s argument reportedly began over a text message, according to court documents obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The exact contents of that message have not been released publicly.

The case has since been transferred to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, which is expected to pursue the charge as first-degree murder.

Suspect Admitted to the Crime, Police Say

Authorities say Gonzalez-Morelos confessed to deliberately driving her SUV onto the sidewalk and hitting her husband. She allegedly told investigators she was angry and lost control during the fight.

After the crash, police said she drove away from the scene but was later detained at Pasadena Police headquarters and taken to the Harris County Joint Processing Center for booking.

“This was not a random act,” a Pasadena police spokesperson said. “This was a domestic dispute that escalated into a deadly act of violence.”

Community in Shock After Deadly Domestic Fight

Residents in the area were stunned by the crime. One witness who lives nearby told reporters that she saw police flood the area shortly after the crash.

“I didn’t know what happened until I saw the news — it’s just awful,” the witness said. “You don’t expect something like that to happen right in front of a Pizza Hut.”

Domestic violence experts say the case highlights how domestic arguments can escalate rapidly into violence — especially when weapons or vehicles are involved.

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