U.S. fugitive "affluenza" teen detained in Mexico

An 18-year-old U.S. citizen who allegedly violated probation in a fatal drunken-driving crash and fled to Mexico for fear of possible jail term was captured in the Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta, said local media reports Tuesday.

Mexican authorities on Monday detained Ethan Couch, a native of the U.S. state of Texas, several weeks after he failed to check in with his probation officer. He was accompanied by his mother Tonya Couch, 48.

The Texan teen gained local notoriety after he was convicted of four counts of manslaughter over striking and killing four people in drunk driving in 2013 but only given 10 years of probation by the judge. The punishment was condemned as privilege rewarded with leniency.

Images of the blond-haired youth published in Mexican news outlets showed the young man with black hair and beard, indicating Couch was attempting to evade authorities.

Before fleeing the U.S., Couch was in the news again recently after a video surfaced showing him violating his drug-and-alcohol-free probation verdict by drinking at a party.

According to the terms of his probation, Couch wasn't allowed to drink or take drugs, and had to undergo therapy and live away from his parents, who were blamed for his reckless behavior.

Couch was to be extradited and expected to return to the United States later Tuesday. Endit