A former officer from Missouri City has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a tragic crash in 2024 that resulted in the deaths of three individuals. Blademir Viveros was convicted on three counts of aggravated assault by a public servant, and although he faced additional charges, his sentences will run concurrently.
In a courtroom session that underscored the emotional weight of the tragedy, Viveros was found guilty on Monday. The crash, which occurred on June 20, 2024, claimed the lives of Mason Stewart, 16, and his mother Angela Stewart, 53, at the scene. Michael Hawkins, who was hospitalized after the incident, succumbed to his injuries several months later.
During the sentencing, victim impact statements were delivered, notably by Morgan Sims, the daughter of one of the victims. She read a heartfelt statement on behalf of her sister Brooklyn, expressing her anguish and demanding Viveros to acknowledge the pain he caused. “Your job was to protect and serve. Protection requires care and caution,” she stated, highlighting Viveros’ actions immediately after the crash, which included prioritizing his own well-being over checking on the victims.
Brenda Brown, a friend of the Stewart family, shared her sorrow, emphasizing the irreversible impact of Viveros’ actions. “You ended their journey. But you’ll never erase their memory,” she lamented, reflecting on the promise she made to take care of Angela’s children.
Alice Hawkins, the mother of victim Michael Hawkins, spoke of her son’s suffering in the aftermath of the crash, which ultimately led to his death months later.
The incident occurred when Viveros was responding to an armed robbery at an ATM. Prosecutors alleged that he was driving at an excessive speed of 107 mph—over twice the posted limit of 40 mph—without his lights or sirens activated. This reckless driving led to a collision with the Stewarts’ vehicle as they attempted to make a left turn.
In a shocking twist, Hawkins was discovered severely injured in the back of the police SUV two hours after the crash, having been picked up during a prior call. His death in January 2025 was a tragic conclusion to a series of events that began with a simple traffic maneuver.
