Three people were killed when an alleged drunk driver broadsided their vehicle at an El Paso intersection on Dec. 24. According to authorities, it is the suspect’s second DWI incident this year.
El Paso police said a 24-year-old man was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro south on Joe Battle with a male passenger when he failed to stop for a red light at Vista Del Sol just after 1:45 a.m. The Camaro struck a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am that was headed east on Vista Del Sol, causing a rear seat passenger in the Grand Am to be ejected and both vehicles to catch on fire.
The Grand Am’s 23-year-old male driver and his girlfriend, who was riding in the front seat, died at the scene of the crash. The passenger who was ejected, the driver’s 19-year-old brother, was transported to Del Sol Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. The alleged drunk driver, who is a professional boxer, and his passenger suffered minor injuries.
Police said the suspect admitted to officers that he had consumed five beers and two shots of alcohol before the accident. He has been charged with three counts of intoxicated manslaughter. Authorities said he was also arrested in April on a charge of DWI with a blood alcohol content level equal to or greater than .15 percent. He is being held on $300,000 bail.
When fatal car accidents occur due to the negligent actions of another driver such as impairment, the families of victims who were killed may wish to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver in court. With the aid of an attorney, a family could obtain a financial settlement to help with medical expenses, funeral costs and other losses.
Source: KVIA.com, “Affidavit: Joel Garcia admits to drinking at least 5 beer, 2 shots before crash that killed 3 people,” Leonard Martinez, Dec. 29, 2014
Source: KFOX, “Three people are dead after cars collide, catch fire in Far East El Paso “, Clarissa Tapia and Jessica Gonzalez, December 25, 2014
