Ethan Couch, the affluenza teen who killed four people and injured several people while driving drunk, is on the run and is being tracked down by authorities after violating his ten-year probation.
U.S. Marshalls released a “wanted” poster on Friday and offered a reward of $5,000 to anyone who can give information on his whereabouts.
JUST IN: US Marshals searching for ‘affluenza teen’ Ethan Couch; offer $5,000 reward. https://t.co/8iP6ALHMNy pic.twitter.com/ihRCjNbKHp
— ABC News (@ABC) December 18, 2015
“Every person who carries a badge in the United States of America is aware he’s a fugitive,” Terry Grisham of the Tarrant County sheriff’s office, said. The teen’s mom, Tanya Couch, was also put on missing person’s list and was believed to have fled the country with her son, said the spokesperson at the Tarrant County, Texas, District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities believe the infamous Texas “affluenza” teen is now on the run with his mother. https://t.co/TuSs7CJ187 pic.twitter.com/oxDRDK4sdh
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) December 18, 2015
Couch was 16 at the time of the incident, and his trial included a testimony from a psychologist who argued the teenager was suffering from an affliction called “affluenza.” Couch was charged with four counts of intoxication manslaughter back in 2013, but Tarrant County Juvenile Court Judge Jean Boyd gave him 10 years’ probation and ordered him to undergo treatment.
Couch crashed into a broken-down SUV parked on the side of the road, which took the lives of four people were fixing the disabled vehicle on the evening of June 2013. A blood alcohol level three times the normal limit plus traces of narcotics were found in his system.
The now 18-year-old affluenza teen did not face any serious punishment nor was he sentenced to any prison term, much to the outrage of the families of the victims.
Victims’ families voice frustration with taxpayers footing part of #ethancouch treatment bill. More on @CBSDFW pic.twitter.com/06j0aRSqXU
— Mireya CBS (@cbsmireya) April 11, 2014
The teen failed to show up at a December 11 hearing after a video showing him playing beer pong surfaced. An arrest warrant was reportedly issued the same day but there was no trace of the affluenza teen at the house he shared with his mother.
Affluenza Teen’s Disappearance Does Not Surprise Victim’s Dad
“We’re not going to give up. We’re going to come after you. We’re going to find you, wherever you are,” warned Tarrant County sheriff Grisham.