Man accused in college student’s death returned to Texas

Deputies from the Denton County Sheriff’s Office brought Eric Johnson back to DFW from Yuma, Arizona early this morning.

– The man suspected of murdering a University of North Texas student on New Year’s morning is now back in Denton County.

Johnson, a former U.S. Marine from Fort Worth, was arrested by U.S. Marshals on a military base in Yuma, where he was stationed, on January 5. He was booked into the Denton County Jail at 2:54 a.m. Thursday.

East Texas police say a 3-year-old girl has survived falling from the hood of a moving vehicle as authorities try to determine if a 12-year-old was driving.

Mutschlechner was her group’s designated driver following a New Year’s Eve party.

Officer Shane Kizer, spokesman for Denton police, said he has not been informed if Johnson has retained an attorney.

The U.S. Marine Corps issued a statement after Johnson’s arrest saying he had been discharged from the service.

A clerk at a nearby gas station, who was standing outside, heard two shots and saw a dark-color SUV speed away as Mutschlechner’s auto crashed into another vehicle and then a telephone pole, the affidavit says.