Texas Woman Allegedly Says She Meant to 'Hit, but Not Kill' Her Husband with Her SUV While Confessing to Fatal Attack By Rachel McRady

A Texas woman reportedly confessed to killing her husband by hitting him with her SUV. 

Pasadena Police shared in a Monday, Oct. 20 press release that Alina Gonzalez-Morelos was charged with murder in the death of her husband, Leonardo Mendoza.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 19, when Mendoza was seen walking on Red Bluff Road in Pasadena, Texas. Police were dispatched at 3:28 a.m. after a call from an eyewitness who saw Mendoza, 42, being hit. 

“[The witness] stated that he had seen a black Tahoe exit the roadway, jump the curb, and strike the male that was walking through the parking lot,” Pasadena Police Officer Darby Slack told ABC13. “The vehicle left the scene.”

Police shared in the release that Mendoza was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Slack told ABC13 that Gonzalez-Morelos “came in voluntarily and confessed” to the crime. The wife and mother allegedly told police that she had come home from a party and was drunk at the time of the attack, telling investigators that she meant to “hit, but not kill” her husband, per the outlet. 

“As far as we know, there were just some marital issues going on,” Slack said of the couple. “She’d come home around 2 o’clock that morning. The children overheard them having an argument inside of the room. He exited, and she followed.”

Related Stories

2 Women Celebrating College Graduation Hit by Car After It Crashes Through Barricade. Nearby Nurse Rushes to Help

Vermont Man, 87, Dies After Being Hit by Car While Trying to Rescue Turtle on Fla. Highway

Gonzalez-Morelos appeared in Harris County Court on Oct. 20, where she faced a murder charge. She remained in Harris County Jail as of Tuesday, Oct. 21. 

PEOPLE has reached out to the Pasadena Police Department for updates on the case.