updated 10/5/2003 11:46:39 AM ET 2003-10-05T15:46:39

A man who fought the driver of a moving truck while hanging from the side window died when the truck hit a tree.

HECTOR LOPEZ, 20, of Houston, was killed Saturday when the truck hit a palm tree and the vehicle landed on him, sheriff’s deputies said.

Carlos Jimenez, 21, of Tampa, was charged with DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. He was jailed without bond.

Sheriff’s Cpl. Dan Tewmey said he did not know why the men were fighting. They were acquaintances and had dated the same woman, he said.

Deputies said the pair had fought earlier in the day, and Jimenez drove to the house were Lopez was staying, woke him up, and then drove off.

Lopez followed in his own pickup for eight miles, bumped Jimenez’ truck three times and then blocked the road so Jimenez couldn’t pass.

Lopez got out of his truck and started beating Jimenez through the driver’s side window, and when Jimenez started driving again Lopez hung on, deputies said. About three blocks later, they struck the tree.



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