Ethan Couch, 18, was taken in by police along with his mother Tonya in the town of Puerto Vallarta.

He has become known for his unique defence – arguing the car crash he was involved in was a result of his affluent upbringing.

American authorities believe he and his mother fled after a video emerged allegedly showing him drinking, thereby breaking his bail conditions. If this is true, his probation could be revoked and he could face up to ten years in jail.

Three years ago, in June 2013, Mr Crouch, then 16, was driving drunk and speeding on a road when he hit a stationary car and killed four people as well as injuring several others – among them passengers in his own vehicle.

He pleaded guilty to intoxication and manslaughter as well as two counts of intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury.

However, as he was under 18 he was not certified an adult at trial, with a judge sentencing him in juvenile court to ten years’ probation as well as a period in rehab.

His inventive lawyers argued his parents failed to instil in him a sense of responsibility – something they called “affluenza”.

Their argument was widely ridiculed.