Arrest made weeks after 61-year-old man found dead in Fort Bend County ditch

NEEDVILLE, Texas – An arrest has been made in the case of a 61-year-old man who was found dead in a ditch by construction workers on June 11.

The suspect, Emilio Cruz Jr., 33, was charged with failure to stop and render aid in connection with the death of Enrique Godinez.

Cruz was arrested and booked into the Fort Bend County Jail. His bail was set at $100,000.

WHAT HAPPENED

On June 11, around 1:13 p.m., deputies were called to a construction site in the 6900 block of FM 361, south of Rosenberg and north of Needville.

Workers inspecting the area told deputies they found a decomposing body in a drainage ditch in the rural area.

While investigating the scene, deputies said they also found a damaged bicycle near the body and debris from a vehicle.

Investigators said that on May 24, a few weeks earlier, traffic calls showed that a crash had been reported in the area by a Lamar Consolidated Independent School District police officer. According to the report, an FBCSO deputy responded, spoke with a driver and took his information, but no other information about the incident was released.

Officers then learned that a missing person report had been filed with the Rosenburg Police Department on May 28. Officers said the person named in that report had been missing since May 19.

On Monday, it was confirmed that the missing man was Enrique Godinez, 61, who was found in the ditch.

Deputies said they have since identified a person of interest and a vehicle linked to the incident.

An internal investigation has also been opened in connection with the investigation conducted on May 24.

“Our deputies and investigators have worked tirelessly on this case to shed light on such a tragic incident,” said Sheriff Eric Fagan. “Words cannot adequately express the sadness we feel for the Godinez family.”