A 20-year-old Texas man has been charged with intoxication manslaughter following a fatal collision that occurred during his birthday celebrations. Dejon Fortune was allegedly driving his father's 2021 BMW X5 at excessive speeds in Katy, Texas, in the early hours of Tuesday morning when his vehicle collided with a black Cadillac.
The driver of the Cadillac, identified as 53-year-old Sung Bae, died at the scene. Prosecutors state that Fortune was celebrating his birthday on the night of the incident. According to court documents, Fortune told investigators that he had left a party at a friend's house to go to a Taco Bell with two female companions.
One of the passengers told police that Fortune was driving and estimated his speed to be between 70 to 80 mph. She reported that Fortune swerved to avoid a box truck before the collision, but stated she did not know what they ultimately struck. The force of the impact was significant, with the front right wheel of the BMW found separated from the vehicle. Images from the scene show the passenger side of Bae's Cadillac was severely damaged, with the car being pushed off the road into a light pole and trees.
Authorities noted that this was the second collision involving Fortune and the BMW, with a prior incident reported in August 2025. Details of the previous crash were not immediately available, but court records indicate Fortune had no prior criminal history before this arrest.
Following the collision, one of the female occupants reported that she and the other passenger removed alcoholic beverages from the car and disposed of them. Both women reportedly left the scene but later returned to provide statements to the police.
Fortune initially claimed to investigators that he was a passenger, not the driver. He then reportedly referred to the women as his passengers, before stating he did not know who was driving. Court documents indicate that Fortune admitted to consuming alcohol shortly after 10 p.m. and exhibited signs of impairment, including slurred speech, droopy eyelids, and a strong smell of alcohol, according to the responding officer.
Fortune was taken into custody after failing a field sobriety test. His bail was set at $200,000, and he is scheduled for his first court appearance in early August. Conditions of his bond include mandatory use of a SCRAM ankle bracelet to monitor alcohol consumption, a driving ban, a curfew, satellite monitoring, and weekly alcohol and drug testing.
Fortune resides in a $610,000 mansion with his mother, Patrice Fortune, who works as a procurement specialist. His father reportedly owns another property in Baldwin, New York, valued at $735,000.
Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan expressed condolences to Mr. Bae's family and urged the public to make responsible choices and avoid impaired driving. "Impaired driving continues to claim innocent lives in our community," Fagan stated. "We urge everyone to make responsible choices and never get behind the wheel while under the influence."