Here’s a heartbreaking story: 19 year-old Priscilla Alanis was a promising student at Cedar Valley College who played on the college volleyball team and sang in her church’s band. She lived with her close-knit family — her mother, her sister and her one year-old son Eli.She just posted a touching Facebook message to Eli, which read “I will love and support you until my last breath.”
Early Sunday morning, this talented, inspiring woman was killed by a drunk driver. Ms. Alanis was driving home to Ferris after an evening out with friends when car trouble forced her to pull to the shoulder of I-45 in Hutchins. She turned on her hazard lights and kept her seatbelt fastened. Unfortunately, these precautions did not protect her when Eustorgio Gomez-Gutierrez’s truck plowed into her car. Ms. Alanis succumbed to her injuries before rescue workers could transport her to a nearby hospital, according to a report on Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com.
Mr. Gomez-Gutierrez was charged with intoxication manslaughter in the fatal drunk driving accident and released on a $50,000 bond. He appears to have no prior criminal record. Yet, his careless actions cost a young mother her life.
Texas Leads United States in Drunk Driving Fatalities
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reports that 1,296 people died in drunk driving accidents in Texas in 2012, equaling 38 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state that year. 2012 Texas drunk driving deaths account for 12.5 percent of the 10,332 drunk driving fatalities that occurred throughout the United States, making Texas the leader in DUI deaths. Sadly, the number of drunk driving deaths increased by seven percent in Texas since 2011, even as DUI crashes declined nationwide.
These statistics support MADD’s assertion that, “the Legislature fails to take necessary steps to address this very serious and deadly problem.” Tougher DUI laws in Texas will come too late for the devastated family of Priscilla Alanis. However, Texas lawmakers have the opportunity to prevent this tragedy from happening to others.
Hold the Drunk Driver Accountable for Your Losses
No amount of money can minimize the sorrow after losing a loved one, especially knowing that your family member would be alive today had the intoxicated person not climbed behind the wheel. However, holding the drunk driver accountable may bring a sense of justice, as well as provide your family with financial assistance during a difficult time.
Attorney Bill Berenson is a Board Certified Fort Worth personal injury lawyer who has 34 years of experience helping victims of drunk driving accidents. He is a proud supporter of MADD and is the sponsor of Fort Worth’s Walk Like MADD on November 1st.
Mr. Berenson is available to help you and your family. Call one of the top-rated injury law firms in the DFW area at 817-885-8000 or toll-free at 1-888-801-8585 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your rights to compensation.