Spoilt rich kid in powerful BMW unleashed death on his 20th birthday after leaving stunning mansion to take trip to Taco Bell, prosecutors say

By JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:52, 26 June 2026 | Updated: 15:53, 26 June 2026 A privileged Texas youngster killed another driver after driving his BMW too fast during his alcohol-fueled 20th birthday celebrations, prosecutors say. Dejon Fortune, 20, was charged with intoxication manslaughter after his 2021 BMW X5 was involved in a collision in Katy, Texas, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Authorities say he was behind the wheel of the vehicle, worth $60,000 and owned by his father, when it collided with a black Cadillac driven by Sung Bae, 53, who died at the scene.  According to court records seen by the Daily Mail, Fortune was traveling with two girls inside the vehicle at the time and was celebrating his birthday that night.  He told investigators that he left his own party at a friend's house and left to go to a Taco Bell with two females, the filings said. One of the girls told police that Fortune was behind the wheel, and that she believed him to be traveling at speeds between 70 to 80 mph when he allegedly crashed it.  The woman said that Fortune swerved to avoid a box truck when they hit something, but she claimed to police she didn't know what they hit, the papers said.  Police said in the filings that the vehicles collided with such force that the front right wheel of the BMW was found some distance away from where the car rested.  Bae's car meanwhile was found to have sustained 'extreme damage', with images taken at the scene by ABC13 showing the passenger side of the car caved in.  The officer who responded to the scene also said in the court papers that this was the second time they had responded to a road collision involving Fortune and the BMW, after being called to a separate crash in August of 2025.  Dejon Fortune, 20, was charged with intoxication manslaughter after his 2021 BMW X5 was involved in a collision in Katy, Texas, in the early hours of Tuesday morning Images taken at the scene by ABC13 show the passenger side of Bae's car caved in Details of that crash last year were not immediately available.  Court records said that Fortune had no previous criminal history before this week.  The court papers said that Fortune hit Bae's car and sent it off the road and into a light pole and trees.  The female occupant who spoke with police said she and the other girl both removed alcoholic drinks from inside the car after the crash and put them into a trash can, the papers said. The two then left the scene, but returned to give statements.  When questioned, Fortune initially told police that he was not behind the wheel and was a passenger inside.  Police said he then referred to the two as his own passengers, seemingly slipping up on his side of events, before claiming he didn't know who was driving.  Court papers said he told police that he started drinking shortly after 10pm, and was said to be slurring his words as he spoke with police. The officer on the scene said in papers that Fortune had droopy eyelids, glossy eyes and reeked of booze.  A field sobriety test was then carried out in which Fortune was said to have swayed throughout, before police took him into custody.  Police said in the filings that the vehicles hit so hard that the front right wheel of the BMW was found some distance away from where the car rested One of the girls told police that Fortune was behind the wheel, and that she believed him to be traveling at speeds between 70 to 80 mph when he allegedly crashed it. His BMW is seen here The court papers said that Fortune hit Bae's car and sent it off the road and into a light pole and trees The home Fortune lives in with his mother Patrice is seen here According to court papers, his bail was set at $200,000. He is due to appear in court for his first appearance in early August. His name did not appear on Fort Bend County Jail's inmate roster as of Friday. Fortune's mom Patrice is seen here Bond conditions issued by the court mean he will have to constantly wear a SCRAM ankle bracelet, which tests sweat for alcohol every 30 minutes. He was also banned from driving, placed on a curfew, put under active satellite monitoring, and ordered to submit weekly alcohol and drug testing. Public records indicate that Fortune resides in a $610,000 newly built mansion with his mother Patrice Fortune.  According to her LinkedIn profile she works as a procurement specialist for an engineering firm.  His father also owns a home in Baldwin, New York, worth $735,000, public records indicate.  Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan said: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Bae as they navigate this heartbreaking loss. 'Impaired driving continues to claim innocent lives in our community. We urge everyone to make responsible choices and never get behind the wheel while under the influence.' No comments have so far been submitted. 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