Buda man charged with intoxication manslaughter in wife's death

Mark Angel Albarez

By ANDY SEVILLA

A Buda man has been charged with the death of his wife in a one-car collision that occurred early Sunday morning.

Mark Angel Albarez Jr., 26, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter, a second-degree felony, according to Hays County jail records, for the death of 26-year-old Stephanie Ann Albarez.

Authorities say Mark Albarez was driving northbound on FM 2001 when he ran off the road, west of Windy Hill Road, at 3:05 a.m., and struck a tree.

Hays County Justice of the Peace Beth Smith pronounced Stephanie dead at the scene, according to a Department of Public Safety (DPS) spokesperson.

Stephanie was taken to Central Texas Autopsy in Lockhart, DPS said, but an autopsy report is not yet available.

DPS said the preliminary investigation found that Stephanie died from injuries sustained in the accident.

Mark was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Uplander, and he and Stephanie were not wearing seat belts, DPS said.

Stephanie was a graduate of Jack C. Hays High School, according to her Facebook page. Her last Facebook post was a “Hot date” with Mark at Third Base Sports Bar – South Park Meadows on Saturday, Aug. 18.

Mark’s father, Mark Albarez Sr., said Tuesday Stephanie was a “loving mother, and Mark is a loving father.” He said they were a young couple with three daughters, an eight-year-old and five-year-old twins.

Mark’s father would not comment on the details of the accident, citing the ongoing investigation.

Mark was booked and released Aug. 19, at the Hays County Sheriff’s Office on a $25,000 bond, according to jail records.