Members of a close-knit family from Taylor, Texas, were recently added to the growing list of drunk-driving fatalities. A mother, her daughter Crystal, the daughter’s uncle and a 24-year-old mother of two who was “like a daughter-in-law” were all killed in an accident on Old Highway 29.
"In the blink of an eye he took four of my family members and he took the biggest part of me right here," said Christopher Martinez. His mother Paula, sister Crystal, and uncle Pete were all killed, as well as Stephanie, the mother of his two children. "She's looking down on me right now and she wants me to be strong for my two kids," Martinez said.
"It's really hard and it's devastating," Paula’s cousin Virginia Contrereas said. She lost her father to a drunk driver six years ago. "We just lost him on July 13, six years ago, for the same reason, he was killed by a drunk driver, just like this, it's devastating," Contrereas said.
On September 1, new DWI laws go into effect in Texas. These include expanding the list of magistrates who can sign warrants for blood draws, and gives police officers stronger authority to require blood or breath tests.
"There's no may in the bill anymore. They shall require a blood or breath sample when somebody has caused a wreck and alcohol is involved, and as a result they feel that somebody has suffered serious bodily injury," said Mothers Against Drunk Driving spokesperson Karen Housewright.
"I hope these new laws being passed, they help bring justice," Christopher Martinez said. He also said his two young children, who were in the van during the crash, are doing well and that he hopes they will be released from the hospital soon.