A Lawrenceville man who police said caused a wreck that left another driver brain-dead has been arrested.

Diego Romero, 31, faces multiple charges including vehicular homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with the crash. He was booked into the county jail Wednesday evening, Gwinnett police announced on Thursday.

Diego Romero, from a 2011 arrest

Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office

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Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office

Romero was traveling west on Jimmy Carter Boulevard about 3 a.m. Sunday when his silver Lexus LS400 collided with a Toyota Corolla stopped at a light at the intersection with Singleton Road, police said. Investigators determined Romero was likely under the influence of alcohol.

Both drivers were seriously injured and taken to area hospitals.

The driver of the Corolla, identified as 37-year-old Manuel Esteves-Sabino of Duluth, was declared brain-dead Monday, Gwinnett County police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera said. At that point, police secured a warrant for first-degree homicide by vehicle.

In Georgia, vehicular homicide charges can be filed once a victim is declared brain-dead, Pihera said. Romero also faces charges of reckless driving, DUI, serious injury by vehicle and following too closely.

Romero was booked into jail once he was released from the hospital, and he is being held without bond.

Jail records show the 31-year-old has been arrested in Gwinnett County three times before: once in 2010 and twice in 2011.

Romero was charged with DUI in January 2010 and having an open container inside a vehicle one year later, among other charges.

In other news: 

According to police, the crash happened in the area of Willeo Road near the Chattahoochee Nature Center.

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