Crash Kills 3 Katrina Evacuees on I-20

FORT WORTH, Texas – A suspected drunken driver is in police custody after a crash that killed three Hurricane Katrina evacuees overnight along Interstate 20 at Bonnieview in Dallas County. Police said three of four passengers were ejected from their SUV when it was hit from behind by a second SUV before crashing into a retaining wall while driving eastbound from Colorado to New Orleans.

All three ejected from the vehicle died. They were identified as Lillian Williams Butler, 79, of New Orleans; Fred Sammy Moore, 59, of Colorado Springs; and Melvin Butler, 42, of Colorado Springs.

Authorities said two victims were killed in the crash, while the third person was thrown into the westbound lanes and was struck by a passing truck.

Police said 47-year-old Lynn Butler-Slugher is in stable condition at Methodist Medical Center in Dallas.

Police said all four people are related and had relocated to Colorado Springs, Colo., after Katrina. Police believe the four were returning to New Orleans to check on their property.

The driver of the second SUV, Robert Roser Jr., 48, of Dallas, was arrested. He faces two counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault.

Police said alcohol might have played a role in the fatal crash.