A 14-year-old Texas boy was killed in a crash that cops say was caused by a suspected drunk driver who has a lengthy rap sheet and was just released from prison on parole related to his latest DWI conviction.
Mason Nelson was riding in a Jeep with three other teens and an adult following a baseball practice in Galveston at 6 p.m. on Friday when 28-year-old Keith Brazier’s white Toyota SUV slammed into the vehicle.
The high-speed collision at Avenue O and 41st Street killed the Ball High School freshman and critically injured two other passengers in the Jeep.
Brazier, who survived, was arrested on a charge of murder and ordered jailed on $500,000 bond.
Galveston police said they suspect the 28-year-old ex-convict was drinking and driving. A passenger riding in Brazier’s SUV was also injured.
According to court records, Brazier had racked up three previous DWI convictions in 2016, 2018 and 2021, reported Fox 26.
Just a few hours before the deadly incident, he had been released from prison on parole stemming from his latest conviction.
A vigil was held in Nelson’s honor on Tuesday, when his family and friends spoke of the impact the teen has had on their lives.
Nelson’s pastor told KHOU11 that the boy was being raised by his father, who referred to his son as his “best friend.”
“I have learned so much about that kid since Friday night,” Reid Nelson, Mason’s grieving dad, told a crowd at the vigil, as ABC13 reported. “He was my best friend, but I had no idea just how awesome he was.”
The boy’s friends said Nelson was funny, enjoyed baseball and was passionate about his faith.