Intoxication assault suspected in Dowlen crash, report reveals

Image
  • The first of two Texas Peace Officer crash reports (pictured right) names  Naymola as the ‘Unit 1’ driver who crashed through shrubs at the  corner of Phelan and Dowlen.
    The first of two Texas Peace Officer crash reports (pictured right) names Naymola as the ‘Unit 1’ driver who crashed through shrubs at the corner of Phelan and Dowlen.
  • Diagram of the first crash scene
    Diagram of the first crash scene
  • The second report’s field diagram shows how, according to witnesses, Naymola drove into oncoming traffic at the intersection of Westgate and Dowlen before he crashed into five cars at the crossing of Dowlen and Gladys.
    The second report’s field diagram shows how, according to witnesses, Naymola drove into oncoming traffic at the intersection of Westgate and Dowlen before he crashed into five cars at the crossing of Dowlen and Gladys.
  • Crash photo by Jerome Cabeen
    Crash photo by Jerome Cabeen
  • SFA unveils the 'Loddie Naymola Basketball Performance Center' at a ceremony last year to honor Naymola
    SFA unveils the 'Loddie Naymola Basketball Performance Center' at a ceremony last year to honor Naymola
  • Naymola crash photo by Jerome Cabeen
    Naymola crash photo by Jerome Cabeen
  • Naymola crash scene photo
    Naymola crash scene photo
Body

Anticipating a potential “intoxication assault” charge for the 65-year-old Beaumont business tycoon, a Beaumont Police Department (BPD) investigator listed Walter Eugene Naymola Jr., nicknamed “Loddie,” as the “Unit 1” driver who mangled five cars and sent eight victims to the hospital from a collection of collisions at the intersection of Dowlen Road and Gladys Avenue on June 22.

As of press time, there weren’t any charges filed against the suspected inebriated driver, according to a BPD spokesperson, who further confirmed the department is awaiting toxicology reports for alcohol and drugs. Toxicology analysis could take up to nine months, the police representative further stated.

Although first responders took eight people to the hospital following the incident, BPD revealed that there weren’t any major injuries among victims in the crash where Naymola’s truck – literally – flew into a flock of vehicles.

A pair of Texas Peace Officer’s crash reports – dated June 22 and 23 and obtained by The Examiner Friday, July 1 – list “Unit 1” as a blue 2021 Dodge Ram 1500, with a license plate reading “4HORN.” The reports further identify the driver of the vehicle as Naymola, who is listed as founder and CEO of 4-Horn Investments LP on the company’s website.

Naymola actually began his intersection barrelling at the corner of Phelan Boulevard and Dowlen Road, more than half a mile from the multi-vehicle pileup, according to the first of two reports – this one dated the same day of the wreck. The report states, “Unit #1 was westbound in the 6400 block of Phelan. It left the roadway and struck some trees, shrubs and a sprinkler system. It then traversed through the parking lot and then onto the street in the 300 block of Dowlen Road.

“It crossed the two lanes of traffic before striking a metal light pole. The witness stated to dispatch that the blue Ram bearing TXLP 4HORN was last seen traveling north on Dowlen toward Parkdale Mall.”

The report states the “4Horn” driver crashed again near Dowlen and Gladys.

The second, unredacted – but, according to BPD, incomplete – report regarding the six-car accident at the intersection of Dowlen and Gladys listed “intoxication assault – citation number (2022-12357)” as a charge for Naymola.

Witnesses told officers that Naymola was driving north on Dowlen “at a high rate of speed” when he drove into the southbound lanes at the Westgate intersection “to get around traffic.”

“Witnesses observed Naymola’s car strike Unit 2 and become airborne,” the report reads. “Impact forced Unit 2 into (southbound) lanes, where she struck Unit 4 and Unit 5. After being airborne, Unit 1 then struck Unit 3. Both Unit 1 and Unit 3 continued (northbound) for a distance before coming to a stop. Unit 6 driver stated her vehicle was struck by flying debris.”

Since the accident, calls from The Examiner to Naymola’s businesses and foundation have gone unanswered.  When reached for comment as to any potential charges pending at the Jefferson County criminal level, District Attorney Bob Wortham stated, “Prosecutors plan to treat this case like any other.”