A woman entering the Katy Freeway on Saturday while headed in the wrong direction collided with a motorcycle that was exiting the freeway. The motorcyclist was killed in the crash, and the woman was arrested.
The collision happened about 8:00 o’clock p.m. near the Wilcrest exit. The woman, Ashley Tran, was driving a Nissan Maxima. The Honda Goldwing motorcycle was being ridden by a 58 year old man. He died at the scene, while the woman was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Police suspect that Ms. Tran was driving while intoxicated. She was taken into custody, and has been charged with intoxication manslaughter. Under § 49.08 of the Texas Penal Code, intoxication manslaughter is a second degree felony:
Sec. 49.08. INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER
(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) operates a motor vehicle in a public place, operates an aircraft, a watercraft, or an amusement ride, or assembles a mobile amusement ride; and
(2) is intoxicated and by reason of that intoxication causes the death of another by accident or mistake.
(b) Except as provided by Section 49.09, an offense under this section is a felony of the second degree.
Further, according the § 13.33 of the Penal Code, a second degree felony has a punishment range of two years to twenty years confinement in the penitentiary, plus a fine of up to $10,000. However, a person can be given probation for the offense.
This brings in sharp focus the terrible consequences of drinking while driving. An allegedly intoxicated woman has taken the life of another individual, and she has dramatically harmed her own. What may have begun as a fun Thanksgiving weekend ended up with one person in jail, facing felony charges, and another person in the morgue. The individuals, and their families, have suffered a life-altering tragedy.
We should enjoy the holiday season. But, when we do, we must avoid drinking and driving.
If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of a drunk driver or alcohol-related accident, contact the attorneys at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211.